War in Ukraine: ‘Punitive’ Ukrainian strike kills 13 civilians in Donetsk

“According to preliminary data, 13 civilians were killed as a result of a punitive bombardment on Baku Commissars’ Square” in western Donetsk, Mr. Kemzulin said on Telegram, specifying that “the number of wounded ( was) still being established”.

“Nine 155 mm caliber shells were fired from the village of Netailové,” he said, calling on the population to “only come out if absolutely necessary”.

These statements might not immediately be independently verified.

Nearly seven months following the start of the Russian intervention in Ukraine, the bombardments continue at a sustained pace.

The Russian Ministry of Defense thus affirmed on Monday that it had carried out several strikes across the country the day before, including one on the city of Zaporizhia (South) “destroyed workshops (…) where (missile) systems American Himars were maintained”.

Clashes are also taking place around the separatist region of Donetsk, as well as that neighboring Lugansk.

Faced with a Ukrainian counter-offensive launched in early September in the Kharkiv region, further north, the Russian army said it was withdrawing part of its troops to “reinforce” those in Donetsk, where fighting is daily.

The Ukrainian presidency, for its part, said on Monday that “10 civilians had been killed and 22 injured” following Russian strikes during the day on Sunday.