Seven people killed in Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s north
- 20 August, 16:36
Seven people, including a seven-year-old were killed, 144 others were injured in Russia’s attack on Chernihiv, a city north of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on August 19 morning. Fifteen children were among the wounded. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said most victims were in vehicles, crossing the road, or returning from church. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the strike on Chernihiv coincided with the Orthodox holiday.
People leaving church and others passing by were among those hurt when the missile hit the theatre, where a meeting was taking place, Regional governor Viacheslav Chaus said.
The UN called the attack "heinous", while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged a firm response by Ukrainian soldiers to a "terrorist attack".
Located on Ukraine’s border with Belarus in the south, Chernihiv was besieged by Russian troops in the first few months of Russia’s invasion of the country in February 2022. Russia has launched indiscriminate attacks on Ukrainian cities far from the frontline since last year.
