Russian Missile Strike Kills Seven and Injures Dozens in Ukrainian City of Chernihiv
CHERNIHIV, Ukraine – A Russian missile struck a central square in the historic northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv on Saturday, killing seven people, including a 6-year-old child, and leaving at least 129 wounded. The attack occurred in the heart of the city, targeting a square, the polytechnic university, and a theatre.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was on a visit to Sweden at the time, expressed his shock and grief over the incident. “An ordinary Saturday, which Russia turned into a day of pain and loss,” he said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. Chernihiv, known for its leafy boulevards and centuries-old churches, is located about 145 km (90 miles) north of the capital Kyiv.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that among the wounded, 15 were children and 15 were police officers. Regional governor Viacheslav Chaus later stated that 140 people had sought medical help, with 41 currently hospitalized.
The aftermath of the missile strike left debris scattered across the square and surrounding buildings, with parked vehicles heavily damaged. Witnesses described scenes of horror and chaos. Valentyna, a 63-year-old resident, showed the damaged balcony in her apartment opposite the theatre and expressed her shock, saying, “It is horrific. Horrific. There were wounded, ambulances, and broken glass in here. Nightmare. Just nightmare.”
The neoclassical theatre, one of the main targets of the attack, had its roof torn off by the missile strike.
This incident is part of the full-scale invasion that Russia launched against Ukraine in February 2022. Russian forces have been targeting cities far from the frontline with missiles and drones.
Among those affected by the attack were people leaving a church after marking a religious holiday and passersby. The theatre was hosting a meeting at the time of the strike. Authorities are investigating how the Russians became aware of the event, with reports suggesting the involvement of drone manufacturers.
An event organizer revealed that all participants, including engineers, military personnel, and volunteers, were instructed to seek shelter in the theatre’s air raid shelter when the alarm sounded. However, some individuals went outside, putting themselves at risk.
“All those who took shelter remained safe,” said Maria Berlinska, co-founder of the Dignitas Fund, which raises funds for drones used on the frontline, in a Facebook post.
Survivors recounted their harrowing experiences, with one wounded woman sharing how her friend pulled her out of a damaged building after part of the ceiling collapsed on her.
The streets of Chernihiv were marked with blood trails and scattered with scraps from first-aid supplies used to treat the wounded.
In response to the attack, Kyiv’s air force announced that the Ukrainian military had successfully shot down 15 out of 17 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Moscow in an overnight strike.
Russia’s Defense Ministry, on the other hand, claimed to have destroyed a Ukrainian drone in the Belgorod region and jammed another near Moscow. A third drone struck a military airfield in the Novgorod region, damaging a warplane.
The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with both sides continuing to engage in military actions. The international community has condemned Russia’s aggression and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Additional reporting by Dan Peleschuk and Nick Starkov in Kyiv and Elaine Monaghan in Washington; Editing by Frances Kerry, Alison Williams, and Grant McCool.
How has the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine resulted in the spread of fear and destruction, as exemplified by the missile strike on Chernihiv?
Strikes in an effort to spread fear and destruction. The missile strike on Chernihiv is yet another tragic example of the devastating impact of this ongoing conflict.
The city of Chernihiv, known for its beautiful architecture and rich history, has now become the site of senseless violence. The attack targeted a square, the polytechnic university, and a beloved theatre, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was away on a visit to Sweden, expressed his shock and grief over the incident. He condemned Russia for turning an ordinary Saturday into a day of pain and loss for the people of Chernihiv.
The toll of this despicable act is heart-wrenching. Seven lives, including that of a 6-year-old child, were tragically lost, while at least 129 others were left injured. Among the wounded, there were 15 children and 15 police officers, further emphasizing the indiscriminate nature of this attack.
The aftermath of the missile strike paints a grim picture. Debris is scattered across the square and nearby buildings, while parked vehicles bear the brunt of the impact. Witnesses describe scenes of horror and chaos, as emergency services rush to provide aid and transport the injured to hospitals.
The historic neoclassical theatre, a cherished landmark in Chernihiv, has suffered extensive damage. Its roof was torn off by the missile strike, forever altering the city’s cultural landscape.
This missile strike is not an isolated incident but rather a part of the ongoing full-scale invasion launched by Russia against Ukraine in February 2022. Russian forces have been targeting cities far from the frontline, instilling fear and panic among innocent civilians.
The international community must unite in condemning these acts of aggression and hold Russia accountable for the suffering it has inflicted on the Ukrainian people. The people of Chernihiv, and Ukraine as a whole, deserve peace, stability, and justice in the face of this unwarranted violence.
