At least 16 people were killed and scores more wounded in a Russian attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka Wednesday (September 6) while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Kyiv.
One child was reported to be among the dead.
Ukrainian officials have circulated footage of the attack, which showed people falling to the ground or running for cover after a huge explosion in front of them, seconds after looking up to the sky when they heard what sounded like a missile approaching.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly responded by saying his country condemned the attack. He added that a market, shops, and a pharmacy had been struck in the city, which is located about 30 km from the devastated city of Bakhmut.
"This Russian evil must be defeated as soon as possible," he said on his Telegram account. "When someone in the world still attempts to deal with anything Russian, it means turning a blind eye to this reality. The audacity of evil. The brazenness of wickedness. Utter inhumanity."
He later told a press conference in Kyiv he believed it had been a deliberate attack on what he called "a peaceful city."
The attack was the fourth time Kostiantynivka was hit by Russian attacks this year.
String of Attacks
According to Reuters, the strike at Kostiantynivka was the latest in a series of Russian attacks on cities in eastern Ukraine with the objective of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a popular cafe.
There was also an air strike several hours before Blinken visited the Ukrainian capital, as well as in Odessa. No casualties were reported in Kyiv, but local officials in Odessa said one person was killed.
Local officials in Kostiantynivka added that 20 shops, power lines, an administrative building, and a residential building were damaged. Eight retail facilities were burned to the ground and cars were also destroyed.
Images also circulated on Telegram where emergency and rescue services clear the rubble and carry bodies in black bags.
Russia did not immediately comment on the attack and has denied deliberately targeting civilians.
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