A Ukrainian attack on the eastern held city of Lysychansk killed at least 11 people, Russian officials reported Saturday, adding that additional victims were thought to be trapped beneath the wreckage while rescue efforts continued.
Lysychansk, in the Lugansk area, surrendered to Russian forces following a bloody struggle six months into Moscow’s operation in 2022.
According to Russian officials, Ukraine targeted a building that housed a popular bakery.
“Unfortunately, 11 people died,” Russia’s emergency situation ministry announced on Telegram.
It stated that rescuers “saved 10 people and handed them over to doctors” and that rescue operations will continue through the night.
Leonid Pasechnik, the Moscow-installed governor of Lugansk, has stated that Kyiv targeted a bakery known for serving fresh bread on weekends.
RIA Novosti released a video of a seriously damaged building, with rescue workers removing an utterly crushed car.
The one-story building featured a huge sign that read “Restaurant Adriatic” and appeared to be completely damaged and covered in rubble.
According to Moscow-installed officials, one wounded man in “serious condition” was sent to a hospital in the city of Lugansk, along with three other wounded persons.
Pasechnik stated that police and emergency services were on the site and attempting to “rescue victims with special equipment”.
Lysychansk had a population of approximately 111,000 people before to Moscow’s offensive.
Russia seized control of it and its twin city, Severodonetsk, in summer 2022, following some of the most grueling engagements of its nearly two-year campaign.