“Every day, Russia destroys the civilian population, kills Ukrainian children, directs rockets at civilian objects.”
“Every day, Russia destroys the civilian population, kills Ukrainian children, directs rockets at civilian objects.”
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has accused Russia of “terrorism” after the city of Vinnytsia was hit by a missile today, killing at least 20 people and injuring 52.
A missile reportedly hit a high-rise building in the city center, severely damaging it and claiming numerous lives on Thursday morning, July 14.
The State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine said that as of 2:20 p.m. local time, they counted 20 dead including three children, as well as 52 people injured, including three children. They also said that the work was ongoing at the site.
The Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that the Russians fired at the city with Kalibr cruise missiles launched from a submarine in the Black Sea. Ukrainian defenders managed to shoot down two rockets.
The footage shows the aftermath of the attack, with the severely damaged building still smoking and in ruins, as well as numerous cars in front of it destroyed. Bodies can be seen being removed from the building on stretchers.
Other images also show people being removed from the area on stretchers while emergency services work to search for survivors among debris in what appears to be a large residential building.
One piece of footage shows how debris can be seen scattered far and wide, with smoke rising in the distance from where the missile hit. Firefighters can be seen arriving on the scene.
Vinnytsia is a city in west-central Ukraine, far from the front lines.
President Zelensky said at about 11 a.m. Thursday, July 14: “Vinnytsia. Rocket strikes in the city center. There are wounded and dead, among them a small child.
“Every day, Russia destroys the civilian population, kills Ukrainian children, directs rockets at civilian objects. Where there is nothing military. What is this, if not an open act of terrorism?
“Inhumans. A killer country. A terrorist country.”
The SES of Ukraine said: “The murderous country launched rocket attacks directly into the crowded center of Vinnytsia, as a result of which a parking lot near the Yuvileynyi House of Life was hit, and the medical diagnostic center was also partially destroyed.
“Video from today’s tragedy in Vinnytsia, which took the lives of twelve Ukrainians, including a small child.
“At the scene of the tragedy, about a hundred rescuers, dog handlers and psychologists are working.”
And the National Police of Ukraine have said that about 90 people had sought medical assistance so far, with over fifty people in described as being in a serious condition.
We contacted the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for further comment, as well as the Russian Ministry of Defense, but haven’t received a reply at the time of writing.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is calling a “special military operation.” July 14 marks the 141st day of the invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and July 14, Russia had lost about 37,870 personnel, 1,667 tanks, 3,852 armored combat vehicles, 840 artillery units, 247 multiple launch rocket systems, 109 air defense systems, 219 warplanes, 188 helicopters, 681 drones, 155 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 2,720 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 67 units of special equipment.
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