Zaporizhzhia strike death toll rises to 20, including children
A Russian glide-bomb attack on Zaporizhzhia killed at least 20 people, including children, Ukrainian officials said. More than 30 were injured when bombs hit apartment buildings Saturday morning. The city declared Sunday a day of mourning, and Zelensky tied the attack to the new U.S. diesel deal.
The death toll from Saturday's Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia rose to at least 20, Ukrainian officials said.
Russian forces dropped five guided glide bombs on residential areas of the southern city early Saturday morning, the BBC reported. One five-story apartment building took a direct hit. "The ground floor was hit, and the floors above just collapsed," acting Mayor Regina Harchenko told Ukrainian television.
Early counts were seven dead. The toll climbed all day as rescuers dug through the rubble. Ukraine's emergency service later said 20 people had died, including three children. Regional official Ivan Fedorov said 32 people were injured. The BBC put the number of children killed at four. Rescuers pulled one woman out alive after more than eight hours under the debris, Ukrainska Pravda reported.
A 6-year-old girl was among the dead, Reuters reported. "Her birthday would have been at the end of the month," her grandfather said. More than 80 workers took part in the search. Officials declared Sunday a day of mourning in the city.
The attack came a day after President Donald Trump announced a deal to ease sanctions on Russian diesel. "Today, Russia said thank you for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia," Zelensky said. He said 13 other regions were also attacked overnight.
Zaporizhzhia had a pre-war population of more than 700,000. Its edges lie less than 20 miles from the front line, and it has been hit often in recent months.
What we know: at least 20 people were killed in Saturday's attack.
What we don't: the exact number of children killed, which sources report differently.
Where outlets agree The BBC, Reuters and Ukrainska Pravda all report at least 20 people killed in Saturday's attack.
Where they differ Reuters and Ukraine's emergency service say three children died, while the BBC says four children were among the dead.