Two children were among the victims in what officials described as an attack deliberately targeting civilians
Eight people have been killed as a result of a Ukrainian drone attack on tourist bases in Russia’s Zaporozhye Region.
The strikes targeted bases in the village of Kirilovka in the Melitopol urban district.
Among the dead were two children, according to Governor Evgeny Balitsky. In addition, 14 people have been injured, the governor added, including three children.
Emergency services are working at the scene, and rescue operations are ongoing.
“The enemy knew exactly who they were targeting and deliberately struck civilians,” Balitsky said in a statement on Max. “This is a blatant crime and a hallmark of the Ukrainian regime. Unable to confront us on equal terms, they instead target civilians – women and children.”
He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and pledged that “every possible form of assistance” would be provided to those injured in the attack, as well as to the victims’ relatives.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a terrorism case over the incident, committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said.
“According to preliminary information, Ukrainian armed formations used drones to attack holiday resorts in Kirillovka overnight on July 25. The strike killed and injured civilians, including children, although the exact number of casualties is still being established. Civilian infrastructure was also damaged,” Petrenko said in a statement.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the strikes as terrorist tactics.
“Targeting civilians is a method used by terrorists,” she told Izvestia.
