Kyiv, 30 September 2022 (TDI): A Russian missile attack on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, killed at least 25 people in a humanitarian convoy and wounded dozens of others.
Ukraine has blamed Russia for the gruesome attack whereas a Russian official blamed Ukrainian forces for the deadly strike.
The attack in Zaporizhiazhia
On Friday, a convoy of civilian vehicles had gathered on the outskirts of the city in preparation to leave. They had intended to provide supplies and visit relatives in a region under Russian control when it was bombed. According to a witness, the impact blew out car windows and caused shrapnel to pierce some automobiles.
Head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, Andriy Yermak reported that an attack by a “terrorist state” left 25 people dead and 50 injured. The regional governor of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Oleksandr Starukh, released pictures of burned-out cars and bodies lying on the highway.
According to Colonel Sergey Ujryumov of the Zaporizhzhia Police Department’s explosive disposal squad, the strike was carried out with S-300 missiles built in Russia.
“The people who were hit were mostly in their cars or next to them. There were other strikes, more than 10. You will be informed about them later,” the Ukraine police official told reporters at the scene. Ujryumov said the Russian military “had the coordinates” of the convoy. “It’s not a coincidental strike. It’s perfectly deliberate,” he said.
Vladimir Rogov, a representative of the administration that Russia attributed the attack to forces of Ukraine.
Five hours after the attack in Ukraine, the sight was still covered in broken bodies and total carnage. When the missile flew in, it appears that many were standing outside of their cars. The missile’s explosion, which occurred approximately 10 meters from the automobiles, left a sizable crater.
One car still had a man sprawled over the wheel with one hand grasping the wheel and the windows were blown out. A few meters away from the luggage they were pulling, another body was curled up on its knees and covered with a blanket.
Also read: UN Secretary-General expresses concern over Zaporizhzhia NPP