A recent attack by Russia on a train station in the central region of Ukraine has left at least 15 dead and 50 injured, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday.
At the beginning of the speech, President Zelenskyy said, “I have just received information about a Russian missile attack in the Dnipropetrovsk region. At least 15 people have been killed and about 50 injured. Four passenger cars are on fire.”
The attack targetted the Chaplyne train station. Rescuers were on the scene, and the death toll could rise, the Ukrainian president said. He added, “This is our daily life.”
The attack came as Ukraine celebrated Independence Day, commemorating the nation’s separation from the USSR in 1991.
The war between Ukraine and Russia, which began on February 24, is entering its seventh month.
There were no immediate remarks or comments from the Russian side. It denies targeting civilians. The United States denounced the attack.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said on Twitter that, “Russia’s missile strike on a train station full of civilians in Ukraine fits a pattern of atrocities. We will continue, together with partners from around the world, to stand with Ukraine and look for accountability for Russian officials.”
The recent attack on Wednesday came after Zelenskyy had alerted that Russia “may try to do something specifically nasty” to disrupt celebrations as Ukraine marked the 31st anniversary of its independence. Wednesday also noted the six-month point in the war.