Chernihiv rocked by deadly Russian missile strike, Zelensky calls for more air defense
Following a Russian missile attack on Chernihiv early Wednesday, numerous civilians have been reported killed and wounded. "This tragedy wouldn't have occurred if Ukraine had been furnished with adequate air defence resources and if the global commitment to counter Russian aggression had been firmer," stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on social media.
5:52 PM EDT, April 17, 2024
The assault happened at around 3 a.m. ET on Wednesday. Three Russian missiles struck a seven-story public utility building close to the downtown area. Recent reports indicate that the death toll has surpassed 10, with over 60 individuals injured. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with many believed to be trapped under the rubble.
"The incident wouldn't have occurred if Ukraine had been provided with enough air defence resources and if there had been a stronger global will to curb Russian terror. (...) Ukraine possesses the necessary resolve. What is required now is a similar level of commitment from our allies," underlined President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The missile struck a heavily populated area
Oleksandr Lomako, the acting mayor, informed Ukrainian television that the missiles targeted a seven-story structure.
- Additionally, the surroundings suffered damage, affecting several multi-story residential buildings and numerous vehicles. (...) It was a densely populated zone at the nexus of two major streets, hence vehicles were numerous at the moment of the attack, reported the official.
Urgent appeals for blood donations
Earlier, Vyacheslav Chaus, head of the Chernihiv regional administration, mentioned "deaths and numerous injuries". He disclosed that three Russian Iskander missiles had struck near the heart of Chernihiv.
A plea for urgent blood donations has been made on Chaus' Telegram account to assist the wounded civilians.
The city bears the scars of Russian assaults
Chernihiv positioned some 93 miles northeast of Kyiv and serving as the capital of the Chernihiv region, endured intense bombardment by Russian forces in the initial weeks of the Ukraine invasion, which started more than two years ago. The attackers have been accused of war crimes within the city - on March 3, 2022, bombings led to 47 casualties, and on March 16, another attack resulted in the death of 18 civilians queuing for bread.
Russian forces were driven out from Chernihiv, Kyiv, Sumy, and Zhytomyr regions in early April 2022.
