Attack in a crowded market in Russian-occupied Donetsk, 25 killed, more than 20 injured

At least 25 people were killed in shelling on a market in Russian-occupied Ukraine. The attack was carried out on Sunday morning in Tekstilshchik, a suburb of Donetsk city. 20 people including two children were also injured in the attack.

At least 25 people were killed and 20 injured in an attack on a crowded market in the Russian-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine on Sunday. Both Moscow and Kiev have accused each other of a sharp increase in attacks on civilian areas over the past two months. Destroyed storefronts and broken glass can be seen in videos shared by Russian media. Also, dead bodies are seen lying on the ground nearby.

Denis Pushilin, the head of the Russian-controlled administration of the region, said, “At the moment, information about 25 dead has been confirmed. At least 20 more people have been injured.” He blamed Ukraine for the attack and described it as a “terrible” attack on civilian areas. Ukraine did not immediately comment, and AFP was not immediately able to verify the circumstances of the attack.

Officials said the attack took place in the city's southwestern suburbs, less than 15 kilometers (nine miles) from the eastern front. Local resident Tatiana said she heard the sound of the projectile coming from above and hid under her market stall. “I saw smoke, people were screaming, a woman was crying,” he told a local media outlet.

Ukraine attack on crowded market

Another resident named Tatiana said, “There is only one market here.” “This is one of the most powerful attacks in recent times,” he said. The death toll in Donetsk is one of the deadliest since Moscow launched full-scale hostilities against Ukraine in February 2022.

Donetsk, held by Russia and its proxy forces since 2014, has been repeatedly targeted by what Moscow has called indiscriminate Ukrainian shelling. Moscow called Sunday's attack a "barbaric terrorist attack", indicating the need for its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Its Foreign Ministry said, “Security threats and terrorist acts should not be carried out from the territory of Ukraine.”

Fire broke out in gas terminal

News of the attack came as Russia reported another fire at its energy infrastructure. This time a fire broke out at a gas terminal in the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga. Earlier this week, Kiev claimed responsibility for two attacks on oil depots in Russia, including one in the same Leningrad region where Ust-Luga is located.

Operator Novatek said there were no injuries and the fire was “currently localized” at the site, located about 110 kilometers (70 miles) west of St. Petersburg near the Estonian border.

Ukraine, which has targeted Russian oil and gas infrastructure during the nearly two-year conflict, did not immediately comment on the incident. Leningrad Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdenko said, “There were no casualties in the fire at Novatek's terminal in the port of Ust-Luga. The personnel were withdrawn.” He shared a photo in which firefighters are shown spraying water on the massive fire at the terminal. Media reports said that a 100 cubic meter container caught fire.