Russia bombs Zaporizhzhia, injuring 16 civilians, including a 15-year-old

Multiple strikes damaged residential buildings, educational institutions, and public infrastructure.

Sep 23, 2024 - 05:00

Russia bombs Zaporizhzhia, injuring 16 civilians, including a 15-year-old

russia bombs zaporizhzhia injuring 16 civilians including 15-year-old aftermath russia's bomb attack overnight 22-23 september

Shortly before midnight overnight on 22-23 September, Russian forces launched an attack on Zaporizhzhia, resulting in injuries to 16 people, including a 15-year-old boy, according to Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration.

Zaporizhzhia City, located about 30 kilometers from the front lines, mirrors Kharkiv’s proximity to the Russian border. Previously targeted by occasional missile strikes, the city now starts facing gliding bomb attacks, similar to Kharkiv. The Russian gliding bombs are imprecise, which means the attacks target entire residential districts rather than specific buildings.

Fedorov reported via his Telegram channel that four individuals were hospitalized, with four women in moderate condition. The attack caused damage to apartment buildings, vehicles, public catering establishments, and a library.

“Thirteen high-rise buildings, educational institutions, private property, cars, garages, and detached houses were damaged,” Fedorov stated.

The Russian military reportedly carried out seven strikes, preliminarily using KAB guided bombs, targeting the regional capital and Zaporizhzhia district. The National Police of the oblast reported that the munitions hit civilian infrastructure objects, damaging 13 residential buildings, two educational institutions, and five vehicles.

Regina Kharchenko, secretary of the city council, informed that three strikes targeted the central part of the city, affecting residential areas, a park zone, and social facilities.

Rescue workers evacuated residents from damaged apartment buildings, saving 27 people, 20 of whom were trapped in their homes. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine reported that firefighters extinguished a car fire and a balcony fire in one of the apartments, and conducted emergency work to dismantle destroyed structures at apartment entrances.

Fewer Shaheds

Last night saw fewer Russian explosive drones used in attacks on Ukraine. Instead of the usual several dozen, Russia reportedly launched only four.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that overnight on 23 September, six Russian aerial threats were detected in Ukrainian airspace: two guided Kh-59/69 missiles and four Shahed one-way attack drones. Ukrainian air defense successfully shot down three drones over Sumy Oblast. The remaining targets—one Shahed drone and two guided missiles—were neutralized through electronic warfare, preventing them from reaching their targets.

First-hand accounts

Local residents shared their experiences with public broadcaster Suspilne. Alina, returning from work during the explosions, found her apartment severely damaged. Nadiia Shorina, who was injured in the attack, described waking up covered in glass. Her daughter-in-law, Tetiana Snizhko, mentioned that rescuers had to free Nadiia as the door was jammed.

The Knysh couple found themselves trapped in their apartment and were assisted by rescuers. Mr. Knysh recounted the intense blast that threw him off the couch and pushed his wife into the corridor.

Ludmyla Levina, 73, woke up to the sound of the explosion and found glass shards in her hair and her apartment window shattered.

Natalia, a displaced person from Bakhmut, compared the experience to similar attacks in her hometown, expressing the need to find new accommodation once again.

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