BREAKING: Russian Missile Attack on Chernihiv Leaves 7 Dead and 90 Injured
A Russian missile strike wreaked havoc on the historic northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, resulting in the loss of seven
Nik Richie
A Russian missile strike wreaked havoc on the historic northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, resulting in the loss of seven lives, including a 6-year-old child, and causing injuries to at least 90 individuals. The Interior Ministry confirmed the grim toll, revealing that the missile struck a central square during a time when people were heading to church to commemorate a religious holiday.
The impact of the strike was particularly devastating due to the crowded square and the occasion’s significance. Among the wounded, 12 were children and 10 were police officers who were present at the scene.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was on a work-related trip to Sweden, shared the news on Telegram, expressing his grief and anger at the indiscriminate attack. The missile struck at the heart of Chernihiv, targeting landmarks like the polytechnic university and a theater. Zelenskiy lamented the tragic event, transforming a regular Saturday into a day marked by pain and sorrow.
Accompanying Zelenskiy’s message was a short video clip that showcased the aftermath of the attack. The footage depicted a square in front of a regional drama theater strewn with debris, damaged vehicles, and even a body inside a car.
Reports from Ukrainian media highlighted that the theater was hosting a public event featuring drone manufacturers at the time of the strike. The use of drones has been a significant aspect of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed that investigations were underway by Ukraine’s domestic security service to determine the details of the event inside the targeted building.
Chernihiv, known for its picturesque boulevards and ancient churches, lies approximately 145 km (90 miles) to the north of Kyiv, the capital.
The strike’s impact was devastating, resulting in significant damage to the neoclassical theater’s roof, doors, and windows of adjacent buildings, and storefronts. The streets bore witness to the tragedy, with blood trails and remnants of first-aid materials that had been used to aid the wounded.
This incident is a stark reminder of Russia’s ongoing aggression, as it continues to employ missiles and drones to attack cities well beyond the conflict’s frontline. Just hours before the Chernihiv attack, Kyiv’s air force reported that Ukrainian military forces had managed to shoot down 15 out of 17 Iranian-made Shahed drones deployed by Moscow in an overnight strike.
In response, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have destroyed a Ukrainian drone in the Belgorod region and jammed another near Moscow. Additionally, a third drone struck a military airfield in the Novgorod region, damaging a warplane.
As the aftermath unfolds, the international community stands witness to the devastating toll that conflict continues to take on innocent lives.