At least 13 people have been killed and around thirty people have been injured in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhya, according to Ukraine.
– Russia has sent in laser-guided bombs, says TV4Nyhetern’s Johan Fredriksson, who is on site in Kiev.
Footage shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Telegram shows civilians lying on a rubble-filled street in the city of Zaporizhzhya. “There is nothing more brutal than airstrikes on a city, when you know that ordinary civilians will suffer,” Zelensky writes.
The attack occurred on Wednesday and at least 13 people were killed. Around 30 were injured in connection with the air strike.
– Russia has sent quite modern bombs, laser-guided bombs, against Zaporizhzhya, which is quite close to the front and is a vulnerable city. It has caused many civilian casualties, says TV4Nyheternas reporter Johan Fredriksson, who is in Kiev.
Local governor Ivan Fedorov, who also shared the photos, announces that Thursday will be a day of mourning in the region.
Russian oil refinery attacked
Earlier, Ukrainian drones attacked an oil refinery in the Russian city of Engels. Near the refinery is one of Russia’s most important air bases for strategic bombers. According to the Defense of Ukraine, the oil depot supplies the air base with fuel.
– They want to knock out depots with oil and gas in order to slow down and prevent the Russian economy from being able to grease the wheels of the Russian war machine, says Johan Fredriksson.
Whether the two events are connected to each other is still unclear.
– We do not know if the attack in Zaporizhzhya is connected with the attack on Engels or if it was a previously planned attack, says Johan Fredriksson.
Zelensky wants guarantees
Earlier on Wednesday, President Zelenskyy expressed that countries that want to see an end to the war should offer Ukraine support in the country’s future defense. There is Ukrainian concern that a future ceasefire or agreement on peace would only give Russia time to rearm the country and then invade again, unless deterred militarily.
– To be honest, I think we have the right to demand serious security guarantees from the countries that strive for peace in the world, said the president.