In the latest attack, Russian missiles targeted the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhya, killing at least 13 civilians and wounding dozens, officials said Wednesday. Footage of the aftermath of the airstrike was posted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s Telegram channel, showing civilians lying in the streets of the city strewn with rubble. They were being treated by emergency services.
Zelensky himself said that apart from regional governor Ivan Fedorov, at least 13 civilians were killed in the attack. Minutes before the attack, Fedorov warned that high-velocity missiles and glide bombs could be launched in the Zaporizhzhya region.
Governor Fedorov gave details of the attack, saying that Russian forces began firing glide bombs into Zaporizhzhia in the afternoon. He added that at least two bombs hit homes in the city. He announced that the region would observe a day of mourning on Thursday. “There is nothing more brutal than bombing a city knowing that civilians will be killed,” President Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram.
He said earlier Wednesday that countries that want the war to end should provide Ukraine with guarantees about its future defense. Kiev officials fear that unless stopped by military force, a cease-fire or peace agreement will only give the Kremlin time to rearm and invade again.
“To be honest, we believe that we have the right to demand serious security from countries that strive for world peace,” Zelensky said. President-elect Donald Trump said he understands Russia’s opposition to neighboring Ukraine’s membership in NATO.
