At Least 16 Dead in Russian Strike in Donetsk

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Facts

• At least 16 civilians were killed after Russia struck a crowded market in the Donetsk city of Kostiantynivka on Wednesday.¹
• Local officials added that at least 31 civilians were reported injured at this stage, with searches in the rubble continuing.²
• Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as a 'terrorist attack' in a post on Telegram. 'A regular market. Shops. A pharmacy. People who did nothing wrong. Many wounded. Unfortunately the number of casualties and the injured may rise,' he said.³
• The strike took place as US Sec. of State Antony Blinken visited the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, which was also targeted by Russia earlier in the day.³
• City officials said that there were no casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure from the missile attack, but said that a number of businesses and vehicles were damaged by falling debris.⁴
• Russia also targeted the port city of Odesa where one civilian was reported killed. Two further civilians were reported injured in the Zaporizhzhia region after missile strikes there.⁵

Sources: ¹Ukrainska pravda, ²Ukrinform (a), ³Guardian, ⁴Ukrinform (b) and ⁵Ukrinform (c).

Narratives

• Pro-Ukraine narrative, as provided by Ukrainska pravda. This is yet another demonstration of Russian terror tactics. These were ordinary civilians going about their normal business when Russia mercilessly decided to take their lives away. This is another reminder of who Ukraine is dealing with.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by Tass. Russia has repeatedly said that it does not target civilians. All strikes are directed at military targets, including military warehouses, fuel depots, and training facilities.

Predictions