Ukraine: 16 Dead in Russian Missile Attack on Market

At least 16 people have been killed in a missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, who blamed Russia, said those killed were “people who did nothing wrong” and warned the death toll could increase.

Kostyantynivka, in Ukraine’s Eastern Donetsk Region, is near the front line.

“This Russian evil must be defeated as soon as possible,”  Zelensky added.

The Authorities in Moscow are yet to comment on the claims.

Among the 16 dead are a child, with at least 20 others thought to be injured, according to information shared by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

“All services are working,” he said, adding that “The fire is contained.”

A market, shops and a pharmacy are reported to have been hit.

Officials in Russia have not yet claimed responsibility for the attack. They have previously denied targeting citizens as part of their offensive.

The attack on Wednesday coincided with a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, where he was due to meet Zelensky.

Kostyantynivka, a small market town, sits close to the battlefield. It is also around 17 miles (27km) from the city of Bakhmut, where fighting is known to have been intense for some time.

BBC