Ukraine hits Russian-controlled Lysychansk, killing 28
The latest attack, however, by Ukrainian forces has been regarded as the deadliest
February 05, 2024
Authorities in Russia said Sunday that as many as 28 people including a child were killed in a deadly strike conducted by Kyiv on a bakery in a Moscow-controlled Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) in eastern Ukraine, as the Kremlin claimed the of the HIMARS rocket system in the strike.
Russian forces took control of LPR — the city of Lysychansk — in July 2022 from Ukraine. It is located near the battlefront and has been under continued Ukrainian attacks.
The latest attack, however, by Ukrainian forces has been regarded as the deadliest.
After the Ukrainian bombing, Kremlin’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the Ukrainian forces targeted the bakery deliberately as they were "well aware that on Saturdays local residents traditionally come there for pastry and groceries, including elderly people and families with children."
She noted on Telegram: "The bombardment is another act of terrorism by Ukraine and proof of the criminal essence of the government in Kyiv."
According to the Russian news agency TASS, the Ukrainian strike damaged the building partially.
TASS quoted the Emergencies Ministry as saying: "Operatives from the Russian Emergencies Ministry have rescued 10 people. Unfortunately, 28 people, including one child, died."
Authorities noted that the search and rescue mission was underway at the scene and "about 65% of destroyed construction elements have been pulled out."
The strike occurred Saturday afternoon when the area was busy, according to TASS, with Russian officials claiming that the attack was carried out by a US-constructed HIMARS multiple rocket launch system.
Leonid Pasechnik, an official from LPR wrote on Telegram Sunday that those who have been rescued were being treated, adding that Sunday has been declared a day of mourning in the LPR for the victims of the barbaric Ukrainian strike on Lysychansk.
In December last year, Ukrainian shelling in the Russian city of Belgorod claimed the lives of 21 people, including children, and injured 110 people, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
In the same month, Russian missiles struck several Ukrainian cities killing at least 30 people and injuring more than 160.
