Deadly Missile Strike in Chernigov: Death Toll Rises to 14 with 61 Injured

Updated 35 minutes ago

A missile strike on Chernigov in northern Ukraine killed and injured, and the debris cleanup continues, authorities said. The death toll is rising, at least 14.

“Rescue operations are underway after the Russian missile attack. People under the rubble. So far, 20 casualties and 10 deaths are known,” Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said in the morning.

“Unfortunately, the death toll could rise. And this would not have happened if Ukraine had acquired enough air defense systems and if the world’s determination to fight against Russian terrorism was sufficient,” said Zelensky. The publication is accompanied by pictures of the consequences of the strike.

As of 13:30, 14 people were killed, 61 people were injured, including three children, and there was information about six missing citizens, the National Police said in a statement.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, among the victims is 25-year-old police lieutenant Alina Nikolaevets, who was at home on sick leave and received a fatal shrapnel wound.

Ukrainian authorities report that the strike on the regional center in the north of the country was carried out with three missiles. They hit a densely populated area near the center of the city. Judging by what I saw, this happened during the morning rush hour.

The deputy head of the office of the President of Ukraine Alexey Kuleba writes in a telegram that an eight-story building in Chernigov was destroyed, four high-rise buildings, a hospital, a higher education institution, and dozens of cars were destroyed. damage

Russian authorities have not commented on the strike, but pro-military Telegram channels are reposting a video showing civilians falling to the ground in front of two columns of smoke as the explosion takes place.

Civil infrastructure buildings in the city were damaged, the head of the regional administration, Vyacheslav Chaus, said in his telegram channel.

The Chernihiv Regional Blood Center reported a shortage of donors, but within an hour it thanked local residents and said help was no longer needed.

At the same time, explosions were heard in the morning in the Odessa region; the head of the regional military administration, Oleg Kiper, mentioned an attack on infrastructure facilities;

On August 19 last year, as a result of an attack on the center of Chernigov, seven people were killed and 148 people were injured.

Ukrainian authorities, including Zelensky, have blamed damage from Russian airstrikes this spring on a lack of ammunition for air defense systems and are calling on the West to increase military aid.