Ukraine: Dozens dead and injured as UN condemns ‘extremely reprehensible’ shopping mall attack |
At least 10 people are believed to have been killed in what Ukrainian authorities say was a Russian missile attack on a crowded shopping mall, and the attack that the United Nations on Monday condemned as “absolutely reprehensible”.
The shopping center in the eastern city of Kremenchuk – a city that has escaped the radar – was attacked late in the afternoon, with about 1,000 or more shoppers inside.
Authorities said at least 40 people were injured in the strike, and the death toll is likely to rise. Footage from the scene shows buildings on fire and widespread destruction.
Commoners shouldn’t be the target
Spokesperson of the United Nations, Stéphane Dujarric, told reporters at the daily New York briefing that although casualties still have to be verified, “whatever the number is any attack on the mall, it’s totally to blame. “
“Any kind of civilian infrastructure, including obvious shopping malls and civilians, was never targeted”, he added.
Mr. Dujarric said there was “Worrying reports of a new wave of air strikes and shelling over the weekend and again today, with civilians killed or injured. Home, health Facilities and other civilian infrastructure were damaged. “
Kyiv beat
Over the weekend, the capital Kyiv was hit again and a residential building was damaged, with some people trapped in debris, he added.
“Loss of lives, injuries, destruction of homes across Ukraine, devastating the lives of individuals, families, communities,” said the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the country. Osnat Lubrani, in a tweet on Sunday. “Civilians must be protected at all times. “
Despair in Donbas
Meanwhile in the Donbas region, where the front line between the Russian invaders and Ukrainian defense forces is located, fighting continues, with UN humanitarians facing “challenges”. enormous” for civilians, “who are facing increasing demands,” said Mr. Dujarric.
“The challenges are not only due to insecurity but also due to lack of accessibility due to administrative restrictions imposed by the parties.
We once again emphasize that parties have an obligation under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
United Nations Crisis Coordinator on Ukraine, Amin Awadtweeted over the weekend that as humanitarian needs grow, the UN will “continue to scale and stand with the Government of Ukraine and its people. “
