Russian bombs hit Zaporizhzhia school, killing 24

The death toll from a Russian aerial bombardment in Zaporizhzhia Oblast rose to 24 on Sunday, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service. The strike hit a school in the settlement of Komyshuvakha that residents used to collect humanitarian aid. Five people were injured in the attack, and 27 remain missing as search crews work through the rubble.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the site of the attack on X. He stated that the settlement had been hit several times by aerial bombs starting in the morning. The initial strike targeted the school, which served as a distribution point for local aid. Zelenskyy said Russian forces followed up with a second wave of nine bombs that struck the shelter where people had taken cover.

Mykhailo Semikin, head of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, confirmed the use of at least nine FAB-3000 guided aerial bombs. He noted that the projectiles struck the center of the village. Semikin’s early report listed 18 confirmed dead, including a police officer and two emergency service personnel. He added that 27 people were unaccounted for at the time of his update.

The State Emergency Service later revised the casualty count upward. The final tally includes four police officers and two emergency workers among the 24 killed. Two of the five injured individuals were also first responders on the scene. Rescue operations are ongoing, with military forces and special services assisting in the search for survivors.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the school distributed aid to residents who stayed in Komyshuvakha every week. He argued that Russian forces knew the location was used for humanitarian purposes. The president said the attack signaled Russia's stance on de-escalation efforts. He called for a strong international response to support Ukraine and protect lives.

The attack occurred after a previous humanitarian operation in Oleshky. Zelenskyy said that moment had shown possible progress toward peace. He characterized the new strike as a signal that Russia prefers continued conflict. The rescue teams continue to comb the area for the 27 missing individuals.

The school stood in the center of Komyshuvakha. It served as a key location for residents to receive supplies. The use of FAB-3000 bombs indicates a high-yield munition was employed against the structure. Ukrainian authorities are coordinating their efforts to account for all victims of the strike.