At least seven people were killed when several missiles hit the city of Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine on Thursday, according to a Ukrainian official.
Oleksandr Starukh, the head of the Zaporizhzhia regional military administration, shared the update in a post on Telegram.
Starukh warned the death toll could increase, as five people are still missing. He also said at least 21 people have been rescued and that crews are still working to find others.
Ukrainian officials accused Russia of intentionally targeting civilians.
“There are neither military nor important objects near the hit site, only civilian buildings, and apartment buildings,” Starukh said.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said at least seven Russian missiles “hit people sleeping peacefully at their homes.”
“More have struck during the day. Russians keep deliberately striking civilians to sow fear. Russian terror must be stopped — by force of weapons, sanctions, and full isolation,” Kuleba continued.
Some context: Zaporizhzhia is a major city in southern Ukraine, not far from the frontline, and the site of a nuclear power plant that the international community is watching warily.
Part of the wider region is occupied by Russian forces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed measures this week to annex four Ukrainian regions, including Zaporizhzhia, in violation of international law.
