Russian missile strikes in Ukraine bury families in rubble

30 November 2023, 16:04

Rescuers work at the scene of a building damaged by shelling in Pokrovsk, Ukraine, on Thursday
Rescuers work at the scene of a building damaged by shelling in Pokrovsk, Ukraine, on Thursday. Picture: PA

It comes as the Kremlin’s forces continue to pound the fiercely contested area with long-range weapons.

Russian missiles have torn through apartment buildings in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, local officials said on Thursday, killing at least two people person and burying families under rubble.

It comes as the Kremlin’s forces continue to pound the fiercely contested area with long-range weapons.

Russian military units simultaneously launched six S-300 missiles during the night, according to Ukrainian internal affairs minister Ihor Klymenko.

The missiles hit three Donetsk cities, Pokrovsk, Novohrodivka and Myrnohrad, he said.

The cities lie 15-25 miles from the frontline.

Emergency workers pulled the body of a 62-year-old man from the wreckage of a destroyed multi-storey building in Novohrodivka.

Another death was reported in the same city by Ukraine’s Emergency Service.

Four more people may be under the rubble, including a child, authorities said.

In Pokrovsk, the strikes destroyed a multi-storey building, nine houses, a police office and cars.

Emergency crews helped rescue a man with a six-month-old baby, covered in blood, in his hands, officials said.

The head of the city administration, Serhii Dobriak, said it is fourth time Pokrovsk has come under attack in the past month.

“They are striking the city centre, the houses,” he said.

“They are just destroying the civilian population.”

He urged people to evacuate because “the intensity of strikes is increasing”.

All three of the targeted cities are close to Avdiivka, a city where a fierce battle has taken place in recent months.

Avdiivka is a gateway to parts of the Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control.

Ukrainian officials said recently that Russian forces have ramped up attacks in eastern Ukraine in a bid to gain ground near Avdiivka and around Bakhmut, another key frontline city.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Donald Trump reacts after July 13 assassination attempt

Trump struck by bullet during assassination attempt, FBI says

France was rocked by a series of attacks against railway lines early on Friday

Celine Dion kicks off Paris Olympics in rain-drenched opening ceremony after France rocked by rail arson attacks

The Park Fire burns along a road in California

Man arrested over California fire sparked by burning car pushed into gully

Israel has hit out at Britain's decision

Israel hits out at Starmer for dropping Britain's challenge to international arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Justin Timberlake at a premiere

Timberlake ‘not intoxicated’ and drink-drive charge should be dismissed – lawyer

A crying woman at the site of a mudslide in Ethiopia

Ethiopia declares three days of mourning as toll of mudslide victims increases

Nasa may have found a sign of life on Mars

Nasa finds Mars rock that 'may have hosted life', with mysterious 'features we've never seen before'

Barack Obama with Kamala Harris

Barack and Michelle Obama give endorsement for Kamala Harris’s White House bid

Playa de las Cucharas, Costa Teguise

British tourist, 45, dies in suspected drowning off Lanzarote beach on family holiday

Travellers wait at the Gare de L’Est at the 2024 Summer Olympics (Luca Bruno/AP)

Rail arson attacks aimed at blocking trains to Paris Games, says PM

A diver from the Polish Baltictech team inspects wreckage

Sunken 19th century ship found with Champagne cargo off Swedish coast

US Mexico Sinaloa Cartel

El Chapo’s son and Sinaloa cartel leader arrested by US authorities

Passengers check departure boards at the Gare de Montparnasse in ParisOlympics Security Trains

Arson attacks paralyse French high-speed rail network hours before Olympics

Performers in traditional dresses stand outside Parliament Haus in Port Moresby

At least 26 people killed by gang in remote Papua New Guinea

AI safety summit

Kamala Harris tells Benjamin Netanyahu ‘it is time’ to end the war in Gaza

A view of the Moidam burial mounds in Charaideo

Indian royal burial mounds announced as latest World Heritage Site