East Ukraine Witnesses Tragic Incident: 21 Lives Lost During Pension Distribution, According to Zelensky
In the small town of Yarova, located approximately 8 kilometers from the front line in the Donetsk region, a tragic incident unfolded on unspecified dates. The town, which had a pre-war population of around 1,900 people, was the site of a Russian strike that claimed 21 lives during a pension distribution.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared an amateur video of the aftermath, depicting corpses and a burned-out minivan near a playground. In a statement, Zelensky described the attack as a "brutally savage Russian airstrike" on ordinary civilians.
The leader of Ukrposhta, the Ukrainian postal network, who was injured in connection with the attack, is not named in the available search results. However, Ukrposhta confirmed that one of its vehicles was damaged in the attack, and its department head, Yulia, was hospitalized. As a result, Ukrposhta announced changes to how it distributes pensions and basic services in frontline regions.
The Russian strike in Yarova occurred just days after a Russian missile crashed into the Ukrainian government headquarters in central Kyiv. There was no immediate comment from Moscow or the Kremlin regarding the strike in Yarova.
Russia has been advancing in the eastern Donetsk region for months, according to Kyiv. Moscow claims the industrial region as part of Russia, but does not have full control over it. The Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky stated that Russian forces outnumber Ukrainian troops threefold in some areas of the front and by six times in regions where Moscow has concentrated its forces.
The prosecutor general launched a war crime investigation into the Russian strike in Yarova. Regional officials have been appealing to civilians to flee the fighting since the early days of Russia's invasion in February 2022. Authorities in Donetsk have been urging civilians to evacuate, fearing a fresh offensive.
In response to the attack, Zelensky urged Ukraine's allies, including the United States, Europe, and the G20, to issue a strong response. Tens of thousands have been killed and millions forced from their homes in Europe's bloodiest conflict since World War II. Despite the efforts of US President Donald Trump to find a way to end the war, he has little to show for his efforts so far.
A notable aspect of the attack was the use of glide bombs, which are fixed with wings to help them glide over long distances. This type of weaponry allows for increased precision and range, making it particularly dangerous in populated areas.
As the conflict continues, the international community remains focused on finding a peaceful resolution and holding those responsible for such atrocities accountable.
