The city of Vinnytsia, in central Ukraine has been struck by Russian missiles which has struck down civilian buildings and a cultural centre according to reports by medic, the strike has killed at least 17 people and wounded up to 50 others.
The attack on Vinnytsia, occurred in mid-morning when the streets were full of people, hitting a business centre, setting cars on fire and sending plumes ofthick blck smoke over the city.
The city of Vinnytsia, is far from the war’s frontlines and was not anticipating the hit.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, condemned the strike, saying: “Every day Russia destroys civilian population, kills Ukrainian children and directs rockets at civilian targets where there is nothing military. What is this if not an open act of terrorism? Killer state. Terrorist state.”
Initial reports put the death toll at two but that was updated to 17 – including two children – by prosecutors.
According to some reports, seven cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea landed in the city, with four intercepted by Ukrainian air defences.
The area hit appeared to be the House of Officers building in Premehoy Square, a concert hall dating back to the Soviet era that residents say was used for cultural and social events.
Video footage posted on social media showed the roof blown off the House of Officers and a scorched multistorey building opposite – identified as the Yuvileny business centre – with restaurants and other businesses on the ground floor also badly damaged.
Other footage showed an injured woman being evacuated by rescue workers.
Footage also showed a damaged pushchair on the pavement in an area scattered with large fragments of metal.
In one video, taken from a nearby balcony in front of site of the strike, a voice can be heard saying: “Just two minutes ago. The House of Officers. Next to the Yuvileny building. All the windows are smashed out.”
The Russian defence ministry did not immediately comment on the reports from Vinnytsia. Moscow, which invaded Ukraine on 24 February, has denied deliberately targeting civilians.
