A devastating Russian missile strike occurred in the heart of Chernihiv, a northern Ukrainian city, resulting in the tragic loss of seven lives and over a hundred injuries, including children. The attack coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Sweden, his first foreign trip after attending a NATO summit in Lithuania. The aftermath depicted images of severely damaged buildings, such as a theater with its roof blown away, as well as mangled cars and survivors amidst the debris, their clothes stained with blood. Among the casualties was a 6-year-old girl, while 15 children were among the 129 wounded, according to Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.
The missile strike took place in a bustling square, where people were returning from church after celebrating the Apple Feast of the Savior religious holiday, holding baskets of consecrated apples. The theater roof’s debris and shattered glass from nearby vehicles and restaurants covered the square following the attack. It is noteworthy that a CBS News team coincidentally witnessed the strike while driving toward the city center. Lilia, an eyewitness, described the terrifying scene of sparks, fire, falling, and shattered glass, accompanied by screams of panic.
The attack caught both first responders and local residents off-guard, given that Chernihiv had largely been spared from the worst of the ongoing war this year. Andriy Yashchenko, a Red Cross worker, expressed shock and described the situation, emphasizing the high number of injuries and fatalities.
The strike targeted the theater during an event for drone manufacturers and aerial reconnaissance training schools. Organizer Mariia Berlinska confirmed that the event had received prior approval from both local authorities and the venue, although the Chernihiv City Council denied granting any approval or permits for the event.
President Zelenskyy referred to the attack as evidence of Russia’s status as a “terrorist state” and called for a unified global approach against it. He emphasized that an ordinary Saturday had been transformed into a day of pain and loss by Russia’s actions. Chernihiv was previously encircled by Russian forces at the beginning of the war but regained control after Ukrainian forces recaptured areas north of Kyiv in April of the previous year.
Meanwhile, during his unannounced visit to Sweden, Zelenskyy and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced plans for cooperation in the production, training, and servicing of Swedish CV90 infantry fighting vehicles. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Sweden’s military support to Ukraine to date and even suggested the sharing of Sweden’s Gripen fighter aircraft. Although Sweden has allowed Ukrainian pilots to test the Gripen planes, it has yet to provide any to Kyiv. Zelenskyy expressed confidence in achieving a favorable outcome to ensure that Russia does not maintain an advantage in the sky.
Denmark and the Netherlands recently announced that they had obtained US approval to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Sweden, on the other hand, has already supplied Ukraine with significant military support, including artillery units, tanks, and armored vehicles.
During his visit to Sweden, Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister Kristersson and other officials, where he received condolences for the Chernihiv attack. Kristersson described the Russian missile strike as a brutal act and reaffirmed Sweden’s solidarity with Ukraine in its struggles.
Additionally, the Ukrainian air force reported shooting down fifteen out of seventeen Russian drones that targeted various regions. In the western Khmelnytskyi region, two individuals sustained injuries, and numerous buildings were damaged. In the northwestern Zhytomyr region, a Russian drone attack caused a fire at an infrastructure facility, but fortunately, there were no casualties.
Overall, this tragic incident highlights the urgent need for international condemnation and support to counter Russia’s aggressive actions, as well as the resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of relentless attacks.
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