Russian Missile Strike In Ukraine's Donetsk Region Kills 5 Children Among 11

Eleven people including five children were killed in a Russian missile airstrike on the eastern Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.

Eleven people including five children were killed in a Russian missile airstrike on the eastern Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.

Source : X/@Hromadske

At least 11 people including five children were killed and 10 people were injured in a Russian missile strike on the eastern Ukraine town of Pokrovsk on Saturday. According to AFP, Vadym Filashkin, the head of the Donetsk region military administration shared photographs on Telegram showing rescue workers sifting through the debris caused by the attack.

Filashkin told Ukrainian television that Russian forces at about 3 PM engaged in "mass shelling" at Pokrovsk with S-300 missiles.

"As a result of this barbaric attack, 11 people died, including five children aged from three to 17 years," he said, as per Reuters.

"Ten people were injured. Rescue operations are continuing. Closer to morning we will have a better understanding of the final numbers of those who were injured."

Filashkin had earlier said the main strike had targeted the town of Pokrovsk and nearby villages lying about 80 km from the Russian-held regional centre of Donetsk.

While Russian officials did not comment on the attack, its Defense Ministry announced in the early hours of Saturday that it had effectively intercepted four Ukrainian missiles over the peninsula during the night. Later on Saturday, the ministry updated its report, stating that their air defence forces had intercepted six anti-ship missiles flying over the Black Sea, reported AP News.

The town of Pokrovsk, which had a population of 60,000 before the war is around fifty kilometres from the front line of the fighting.

In his nightly address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended condolences to the families who tragically lost their loved ones in the strike.

“Russia must feel - and always feel - that none of these strikes will be without consequences for the terrorist state. We have to ensure this - with our strength, our own defence and political capabilities,” Zelenskyy reportedly said, as per CNN.

The strikes destroyed three private houses and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) started search and rescue efforts soon after to look for people under the rubble. During the rescue operation, one man was rescued.