Local officials said that at least 13 people were killed and 18 others were injured in Russian bombing of the city of Zaporizhia in southern Ukraine.
Regional President Ivan Fedorov said, “The Russians attacked the city sarcastically in the middle of the day,” adding that two guided air bombs hit residential buildings.
Video footage showed a high-rise building on fire, and a number of vehicles catching fire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the allies to put pressure on Russia “because of its terrorism.” The Russian army did not comment. President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In a video message from outside the bombed site, Fedorov said the Russian bombing began around 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Wednesday.
He said that two guided bombs hit residential buildings. He had previously said that “industrial infrastructure” was targeted.
Graphic images posted online showed first responders treating victims on the side of the road, several vehicles on fire, and the windows of a parked tram smashed.
In one video, at least two minibuses were seen with their windows smashed, and the victims appeared to be lying amid rubble and debris on the road.
Zaporizhia is located near the front line.
In a statement issued later on Wednesday, President Zelensky said that “there is nothing more cruel than launching aerial bombs into a city, knowing that ordinary civilians will suffer.”
Appealing to Ukraine's allies to provide more support, he said, “Only through force can such a war be ended with lasting peace.”
A day of mourning will be declared throughout the Zaporizhzhya region on Thursday.
