The death toll following a Russian missile strike on the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv has risen to at least six after a six-year-old girl died in hospital, according to Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko.
“Her mother is in grave condition. The police officers provided first aid to the girl. Unfortunately, doctors were unable to save her upon arrival at the hospital due to a heavy blood loss,” Klymenko said.
He said hospitals are operating at full capacity, with 36 people wounded, including police officers and court security officers. “These are civilians who were either on Chernihiv central square or returning from church,” he explained.
“The Security Service and the Prosecutor’s Office are documenting the crime. The missile hit the Palace of Culture in the city center. There were also people in the nearby cafes. Buildings in the old part of the city were destroyed,” he continued.
An air raid alert had sounded a few minutes before the missile struck, meaning most of the people inside the theater and outside were able to take shelter. “That’s what saved a lot of people’s lives,” Klymenko added.
Acting mayor of Chernihiv, Oleksandr Lomako, told national TV: ”There is a park right behind the drama theater, many children and their parents usually spend time there. There are numerous restaurants with outdoor terraces located nearby as well. It all happened in the middle of the day when obviously there are many people in the city center.”
“This crime cannot be interpreted except as a war crime against civilians,” he added.
Lomako said a lot of buildings around the drama theater in Krasna Square were damaged, with “rocket fragments and broken windows.”
