Russia bombed a humanitarian aid distribution centre and a nearby shelter in southern Ukraine on Monday (November 2), killing 26 people, Ukrainian officials said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strikes first hit a school building being used to distribute humanitarian aid before targeting a neighbouring shelter.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said the attacks were further evidence that Russia was not seeking to de-escalate the conflict. "This is further proof that Russia wants no de-escalation," he said.
The strikes took place in the village of Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region as a limited ceasefire in the neighbouring Kherson region came to an end. The temporary pause had allowed humanitarian aid deliveries and evacuation operations in front-line areas of Russian-occupied territory.
"There was a moment when the next steps could have shown that progress toward peace was possible," Zelenskyy said. "With these killings, Russia is sending an entirely opposite signal: Russia is counting on more killings."
About 20 people were reported missing, and the death toll could rise, officials said. Rescue operations on Monday evening were hampered by further Russian drone attacks in the area, according to a Zaporizhzhia military official.
In separate drone attacks, at least 17 people were injured, including 12 in the Kharkiv region and five in Odesa, authorities said. (With inputs from media organisations)