Russia Missile Strikes Kill 13 in Ukraine City, Death Toll in 9 Days Climbs to At Least 60 Civilians

Russian missile attacks on the city of Zaporizhzhia in the southeast have resulted in at least 13 fatalities, according to Ukrainian officials.

Several more homes were damaged, and many more people suffered injuries. Russia has been hitting Zaporizhzhia hard in recent weeks as retaliation for its losses in the south and northeast.

Missile Attack on Civilian Convoy in Zaporizhzhia

Parts of the Zaporizhzhia region, including its nuclear power plant, which is around 52 kilometers (30 miles) from the city, have been under Russian control from the invasion's start. The death toll was first reported by Ukrainian officials, however, it was later reduced.

The rockets in the region claimed by Russia damaged at least 20 residences and numerous apartment buildings. Officials from Ukraine requested more missile defense systems to shield nearby cities, as per BBC.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will preside over a meeting of his Security Council on Monday, two days after a massive explosion that partially destroyed a bridge in the Russian-controlled Crimea. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, stated on Sunday that the president will meet with the permanent members of the Security Council on Monday.

The Kerch bridge, which connects Crimea with Russia, has already been designated a red line by senior Russian officials, who have warned of a response in the event of an attack. In addition to the infrastructure feeding the peninsula with electricity and natural gas, Putin ordered greater security on Saturday, according to Interfax.

Hours after an explosion of destroyed bridge, Putin said in a decree that the FSB security service would be in charge of enhancing safety precautions. A prominent emblem of Moscow's takeover of the peninsula was damaged by the strong blast on the road-and-rail bridge, according to USA Today.

Russia, Ukraine Take Responsibility of Missile Attack

Despite no claim of responsibility, the early morning explosion sparked jubilant greetings from Ukrainian officials. The act was described as pure wickedness by the president of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.

The city, which is in the Ukrainian-controlled portion of an area that Putin unlawfully grabbed last week, has been the target of several Russian strikes. Since the first days of Russia's invasion in February, the vast majority of the Zaporizhzhia region, including the nuclear reactor, has been governed by Russia. Zaporizhzhia City, the region's capital, is still governed by Ukraine.

According to Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a power line powering the nuclear reactor has been repaired following a cut caused by shelling on Friday night.

Grossi declared that he will urge both parties to approve a buffer zone surrounding the plant. Both Russia and Ukraine have taken responsibility for the bombardment. A portion of the bridge was destroyed by the bomb, despite the fact that some restricted traffic has since resumed along one lane, The Telegraph via MSN reported.