Kyiv said 24 people had died after Russian strikes hit a humanitarian aid centre in a village in southern Ukraine, and local officials reported dozens more missing.
Authorities said the village was struck by at least nine 3,000kg aerial bombs. Local officials told rescuers that 27 people were unaccounted for after the blasts but have not confirmed whether those missing were staff, residents, or recipients of aid.
Rescue teams were reported to be searching through damaged buildings and rubble in the aftermath of the attack. Emergency services and local authorities cautioned that casualty figures remained provisional and could change as search-and-rescue operations continued.
The strikes on a facility associated with aid distribution underscore the dangers facing humanitarian operations in the conflict zone. Kyiv’s account of the event adds to reports of civilian harm and damage to infrastructure in areas affected by ongoing hostilities.
Independent verification of the incident and the exact circumstances of the attack were not immediately available. Ukrainian and international agencies often take time to confirm details on the ground amid continuing fighting and restricted access.