Russian-installed authorities reported that a drone attack on a holiday camp in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region killed 12 people, including five children. The authorities accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting civilians, while Kyiv has not yet commented.
The incident highlights the ongoing civilian toll of the conflict in Ukraine, with accusations of deliberate targeting of non-combatants and a Russian investigation into the attack.
Twelve people, including five children, were killed in an overnight drone attack on a holiday camp in a Russian-held part of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, according to Russian-installed local authorities. Russian-appointed governor Yevgeny Balitsky stated that 19 people were wounded and accused Ukrainian drones of deliberately attacking civilians.
Kyiv did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Both Russia and Ukraine deny targeting civilians in the war launched by Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The attack occurred in the resort area of Kyrylivka, located on the coast of the Sea of Azov near Melitopol. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Ukrainian drones attacked "sleeping people" at the camp and denounced "inhuman crimes." She also referred to a recent attack on a factory in Russia's Kirov region.
Video posted online showed shattered buildings, burned-out cars, and a pile of rubble next to a swimming pool at the holiday camp. Balitsky said rescue operations had been completed after extracting two survivors, including a child, and recovering another body.
Russia's Investigative Committee opened a terrorism case in response to the attack, according to Russian state news agency RIA.