23 killed in Russian airstrike as Zelenskyy condemns ‘brutally savage’ attack on civilians

A Russian aerial bomb attack on the rural village of Yarova in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region has killed at least 23 people and injured 18 others, according to a CNN report, citing Ukrainian officials on Tuesday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the airstrike as “brutally savage,” saying it targeted “ordinary civilians directly.”

“A brutally savage Russian airstrike with an aerial bomb on the rural settlement of Yarova in the Donetsk region. Directly on people. Ordinary civilians. At the very moment when pensions were being disbursed. According to preliminary information, more than 20 people were killed. There are no words… My condolences to all the families and loved ones of the victims,” Zelenskyy posted on X along with a video from the incident spot.

He said that such Russian strikes must not be left without an appropriate response from the world.

“The Russians continue destroying lives while avoiding new strong sanctions and new strong blows. The world must not remain silent. The world must not remain idle. A response is needed from the United States. A response is needed from Europe. A response is needed from the G20. Strong actions are needed to make Russia stop bringing death,” he added.

The video shared by President Zelenskyy shows the grim aftermath of the airstrike in Yarova, with several lifeless bodies —dressed in civilian clothing — strewn across the ground. Some victims appear to be elderly, many showing signs of catastrophic injuries.

Zelenskyy said the strike took place as pensions were being distributed in the village, located just a few miles from the front lines. Ukraine’s postal service, which helps deliver pension payments, was reportedly present at the scene.

Footage from the site also shows the wreckage of a van believed to be a mobile branch of the postal service, with a children’s playground, featuring two yellow slides, visible in the background.

“The Russians attacked people while they were receiving their pensions. This is not warfare – this is pure terrorism,” CNN quoted head of the Donetsk regional military administration Vadym Filashkin as saying, adding that rescue workers and medics are still on the scene.

The head of the local postal branch was injured in the Yarova strike and hospitalised, Ukrainian postal chief Igor Smelyansky told CNN. He noted the van was parked under trees to avoid detection, reflecting ongoing security precautions.

Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged allies to respond with tougher sanctions, slamming Russian claims of “saving” Donetsk residents as false. “In reality, they’re dropping bombs on people collecting pensions,” he was quoted as saying.

Yarova, once home to 2,800 people, was briefly occupied by Russia in 2022 before being recaptured by Ukrainian forces.

Nationwide, seven people were killed and at least 22 injured in the past 24 hours. In Zaporizhzhia, one woman died and another was wounded. Six more were killed and 10 injured in a separate attack on Donetsk, local officials reported.

With inputs from agencies