On 9 August 2024, at around 11:05, the Russian army shelled Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region with barrel artillery. The Russians hit a local supermarket. The death toll from the Russian airstrike in Kostiantynivka has risen to 14 people. 44 people were injured. This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General.
“This is terror and barbarity. No situation on the front can be an excuse for the killing of civilians. An investigation has already been launched into this war crime. The terrorist state must and will be punished for everything it has done,” Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin said.
According to preliminary information, the enemy struck with an Kh-38 missile. As a result of the attack, a large-scale fire broke out on site: more than a thousand square meters of the shopping center’s area were engulfed in flames. About fifty people were there at the moment of the strike.
“This is yet another targeted strike on a place where people were gathered. Police, rescuers, medics, and all responsible services are working at the scene,” said Vadym Filashkin, Head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration. He also urged all residents of the Donetsk region to act responsibly: “If you still haven’t evacuated and remain in the region, avoid places of mass gatherings and go to a shelter without delay when an alert is announced. Every day you stay here is danger. It cannot be avoided, but you can at least try to reduce the risks.”
The shelling also destroyed a Nova Poshta branch. At least four private houses, shops, and a car wash were damaged. Several cars burned down.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his condolences to the victims.
“Russia will be held accountable for this terror, and we will do everything so that the world continues to stand with Ukraine, supporting our defense and the saving of our people’s lives,” the President said.
In the afternoon, at around 16:00, the Russians cynically struck Kostiantynivka for a second time.
“This time, they used Smerch systems against the private residential sector. Two civilians were injured,” Vadym Filashkin reported.
This material was produced with the support of The Fritt Ord Foundation.
Worked on this material:
Topic researcher, text author: Vira Labych
Photo editor: Viacheslav Ratynskyi
Literary editor: Yuliia Futei
