At least 24 people were killed after Russian forces bombed a Ukrainian school on Monday in what President Volodymyr Zelensky slammed as a barbaric “double-tap” strike.
Ukraine’s emergency service confirmed that the Komyshuvakha school targeted in the strike was a building used for distributing humanitarian aid, with two of its rescue workers among the dead.
“After the first air strike, there was a repeat strike with nine more bombs, directly on the shelter where people were gathered,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian strike on an educational facility in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia region on Nov. 2. UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE/AFP via Getty Images
“The Russians could not have been unaware that every week residents who have remained in Komyshuvakha were receiving assistance right there,” he continued.
“This is yet further proof that Russia does not want any kind of de-escalation, any real justice,” Zelensky added.
Monday’s strike occurred in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, where officials said that 27 people were still missing in the attack.
Rescue teams are currently trying to reach residents who are believed to still be trapped under the rubble, Zaporizhzhia police said.
The threat of repeated Russian attacks in the region has also complicated the search and rescue efforts, Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi noted.
Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration Mykhailo Semikin declared Nov. 3 a day of mourning for the victims of the attack.
24 people were killed and 27 remain missing after the attack. UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE/AFP via Getty Images
The Russian military has yet to comment on the deadly airstrike.
The deadly attack came just a day after a localized cease-fire secured by first lady Melania Trump in Russian-occupied Oleshky.
“After the humanitarian operation in Oleshky, there was a moment when the next steps could have shown that progress toward peace was possible,” Zelensky said.
The school is used for also distributing humanitarian assistance. UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE/AFP via Getty Images
“With these killings, Russia is sending an entirely opposite signal: Russia is counting on more killings,” he added.
With Post Wires