Russian missile strike on Chernihiv: number of people injured rises to 117, city mourns
The number of victims of the Russian missile attack on the centre of Chernihiv on 19 August has risen to 117 people, with 7 killed, and the city has begun a mourning period from 19 to 21 August.
Source: Acting Chernihiv Mayor Oleksandr Lomako on Telegram
Quote from Lomako: "117 people were reportedly injured in the terrorist attack on the centre of Chernihiv, including 7 killed as of 15:25 [on 19 August 2023]."
Details: He also reported that "19-21 August were announced as days of mourning due to the Russian terrorist attack on Chernihiv".
Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine's Interior Minister, reported that the majority of the victims were either in vehicles or crossing the road, or on their way back from church. "Everyone who was in the drama theatre went down to the shelter timely. The National Police officers tried to get people to the shelter after the air-raid warning alert was issued," he said.
Ukraine's Interior Ministry said there was also a large park behind the drama theatre. Mothers had been taking their children for a walk there since early morning. The central square was packed with vehicles. "Our emergency rescuers arrived in time after the missile struck and put out the [fire in the] epicentre of the explosion. After that, together with the police, they started to provide first aid to citizens," Klymenko said.
Background:
- At around 11:30 on 19 August, the Russian forces hit the centre of Chernihiv with a ballistic missile. Seven people have been killed and 90 wounded, including children.
- Russian forces reportedly launched a missile attack on the Chernihiv Music and Drama Theatre when a gathering of drone manufacturers and aerial reconnaissance training schools was being held there as part of the Liuti Ptashky (Angry Birds) demo day, although only the event’s participants knew the exact location.
- The Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti alleged that "the gathering of the military specialists from the Ukrainian Armed Forces related to combat UAVs" was the target of the Russian attack on Chernihiv.
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