At Least 26 Killed in Strike on Ukrainian Aid Centre, Officials Say

Russian strikes on an aid distribution centre and a neighbouring shelter in southern Ukraine killed at least 26 people on Monday, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine's emergency services, as reported by The Guardian.

The attack took place in Komyshuvakha, a village in the south-eastern Zaporizhzhia region. Emergency services said two members of a rescue crew and four police officers were among the dead. Five people were being treated in hospital, including two rescue workers.

Zelenskyy said Russian forces first dropped aerial bombs on a school in the village that was being used as a shelter and as a place to distribute humanitarian aid. A second strike then hit the shelter with more air bombs. The strikes destroyed the school. No classes had been held there, because the village is too close to the front line, where Russian and Ukrainian forces are fighting.

Regina Kharchenko, secretary of the Zaporizhzhia city council, said 27 people were missing after the attack. Rescue efforts on Monday evening were hindered by further Russian drone attacks in the bombed area, according to Mykhailo Semikin, a military official in Zaporizhzhia.

Zelenskyy described the attack on the aid hub as "vile." He said it showed that Russia does not want to de-escalate, meaning to ease tensions. Komyshuvakha had been struck several times before, including a humanitarian hub.

Separately, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said US-led talks between Russia and Ukraine are scheduled for 10 and 11 November in Abu Dhabi.