Russia Drops 9 Bombs on Ukrainian Aid Center, Killing at Least 33

Russia has bombed a Ukrainian aid center, leaving at least 33 people dead.

According to local time on the 3rd, foreign media outlets including AFP and the BBC reported that at least nine 3-ton bombs were dropped from the air onto a humanitarian aid distribution center in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, in southern Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that an initial airstrike hit a school building used for humanitarian purposes, followed by a second attack targeting the place where people had evacuated.

The death toll compiled by emergency authorities is rising rapidly.

President Zelenskyy initially announced the death toll from the airstrike at 18, but the number of fatalities has since risen to 33.

With a large number of people still missing, the death toll is expected to rise further.

"Five people have been rescued, but more than 50 others may still be trapped under the rubble," President Zelenskyy said, calling it "one of the largest massacres committed by Russia in this war."

He criticized the attack, saying, "There is no way Russia did not know that local residents in Komyshuvakha visited the facility every week to receive humanitarian aid," and adding that this airstrike is "another proof that Russia does not want a de-escalation."

According to the Associated Press, the airstrike took place immediately after a localized ceasefire—which had gone into effect in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky through the mediation of Melania Trump, wife of U.S. President Donald Trump—expired.

President Zelenskyy noted that there was a moment when peace seemed possible as the localized ceasefire took effect and civilian evacuations were carried out, but pointed out that "with acts of slaughter like this, Russia is sending the exact opposite signal."

Mykhailo Semykin, the head of the administration in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, said, "People are still trapped under the rubble," calling the Russian attack a "horrific tragedy."

He stated that rescue operations are underway, but they have been halted several times due to continuing Russian drone attacks.

Ukraine has declared three days of mourning across Zaporizhzhia to honor the victims.

Ukraine is scheduled to resume peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), mediated by the U.S. within the next few days.

However, it is generally observed that the prospects for meaningful breakthroughs at the talks remain dim due to the vast differences in viewpoints between the warring parties over the conditions for ending the war.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.