Ukrainian strike on Russian bakery kills 28, including a child

This photograph released on February 4, 2024, shows rescue officials during a search mission after shelling in Lysychansk amid the Russia-Ukraine war. — Tass

Russian media reported Sunday at least 28 people were confirmed dead in the wake of a Ukrainian strike on a bakery in Lysychansk in the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR), damaging the building partially, as authorities earlier noted that dozens have been trapped under the rubble.

The media agency TASS reported citing the Emergencies Ministry statement: "Operatives from the Russian Emergencies Ministry have rescued 10 people. Unfortunately, 28 people, including one child, died."

Authorities noted that the search and rescue mission was underway at the scene and “about 65% of destroyed construction elements have been pulled out."

The strike occurred Saturday afternoon when the area was busy, according to TASS, with Russian officials claiming that the attack was carried out by a US-constructed HIMARS multiple rocket launch system.

Leonid Pasechnik, an official from LPR wrote on Telegram Sunday that those who have been rescued were being treated, adding that Sunday has been declared a day of mourning in the LPR for the victims of the barbaric Ukrainian strike on Lysychansk.

After the Ukrainian bombing, Kremlin’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the Ukrainian forces targeted the bakery deliberately as they were "well aware that on Saturdays local residents traditionally come there for pastry and groceries, including elderly people and families with children."

She noted on Telegram: "The bombardment is another act of terrorism by Ukraine and proof of the criminal essence of the government in Kyiv."

Russian forces took control of Lysychansk in July 2022. It is located near the battlefront and has been under continued Ukrainian attacks. However, the recent attack has been regarded as the deadliest in the area.

In December last year, Ukrainian shelling in the Russian city of Belgorod claimed the lives of 21 people, including children, and injured 110 people, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

In the same month, Russian missiles struck several Ukrainian cities killing at least 30 people and injuring more than 160.