Seven people, including a 6-year-old child, were tragically killed in Chernihiv, a historic city in northern Ukraine, when it was struck by a Russian missile. In addition, at least 129 individuals were wounded, with 41 hospitalized. The missile hit the city’s center, affecting the polytechnic university and a theater. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was on a visit to Sweden, expressed his sorrow for the devastating strike, remarking on how Russia has turned a typical Saturday into a day of pain and loss. Chernihiv, known for its leafy boulevards and centuries-old churches, is situated approximately 145 km (90 miles) north of the capital, Kyiv.
Among the 129 wounded from the search and rescue operation, there were 15 children and 15 police officers, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Furthermore, 140 individuals sought medical assistance, with 41 remaining hospitalized, reported Regional Governor Viacheslav Chaus.
Witnesses described the horrifying scene of the attack. Debris was scattered throughout the square in front of the damaged theatre and surrounding buildings, with heavily damaged parked vehicles. Valentyna, a 63-year-old resident who only provided her first name, showcased the balcony of her apartment facing the theatre, highlighting the horror she experienced. In her words, the aftermath of the strike was a nightmare, with wounded individuals, ambulances, and shattered glass everywhere.
The neoclassical theatre bore the brunt of the missile strike, resulting in the roof being torn off. The attack on Chernihiv, a city situated far from the frontline, is part of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that commenced in February 2022.
The victims included individuals leaving a church after observing a religious holiday, as well as passersby who were hurt when the missile struck the theatre during a meeting, as per Chaus. Investigations are being conducted into how the Russians obtained information about the event. Ukrainian media has reported possible involvement of drone manufacturers. Both sides have extensively employed drones in the conflict.
A statement from the event organizer revealed that all participants, including engineers, military personnel, and volunteers, were instructed to seek shelter in the theatre’s air raid shelter when the alarm sounded, but some individuals ventured outside. Maria Berlinska, co-founder of the Dignitas Fund, confirmed that those who followed the shelter guidelines remained safe.
Eyewitnesses shared accounts of their harrowing experiences. One injured woman mentioned her friend saving her from one of the damaged buildings after a fragment of the ceiling fell on her head. Blood trails stained the streets, and remnants of first-aid supplies were scattered about, evidence of the efforts made to treat the wounded.
Kyiv’s air force reported that the Ukrainian military successfully downed 15 out of the 17 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Moscow in an overnight strike. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have destroyed a Ukrainian drone in the Belgorod region and jammed another near Moscow. The ministry also stated that a third drone struck a military airfield in the Novgorod region, causing damage to a warplane.
