KYIV: At least 26 people have been killed in a Russian aerial attack on a humanitarian aid centre in southern Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Five people were injured, and 27 were initially reported missing after at least nine 3,000kg aerial bombs struck the village of Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region on Monday, regional head Mykhailo Semikin said.
Zelensky described the attack as “utterly horrific”, saying Russian forces had struck a local school being used for humanitarian purposes before launching a second strike on a place where people had taken shelter.
An utterly horrific Russian attack on the settlement of Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region. Since this morning, the settlement has been hit several times by aerial bombs. The strikes targeted a school used for humanitarian purposes – people were receiving humanitarian aid there. After the first aerial bomb strike, there was a double-tap strike with nine more bombs, specifically targeting the shelter where people were taking cover. Tragically, 18 people have already been reported killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Five people have been injured. A rescue operation is underway at the site, and the search for people continues. It is extremely difficult. Military forces, first responders, and special services are involved.
The Russians could not have been unaware that every week, local residents who had remained in Komyshuvakha received humanitarian aid at that very location. And this is further proof that Russia wants no de-escalation and no real justice. After the humanitarian operation in Oleshky, there was a moment when the next steps could have shown that progress toward peace was possible. With these killings, Russia is sending an entirely opposite signal: Russia is counting on more killings. There must be a response to this – a response from the world. A strong and tough response. A response to Russia. And support for Ukraine. We must protect lives. Thank you to everyone who is helping!
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 2, 2026
Images released by Ukrainian authorities showed a huge crater at the site, a burning bus and a badly damaged building. Rescue workers were seen searching through the rubble as fears grew that more people could be trapped beneath the debris.
Rising Death Toll
The reported death toll increased throughout Monday.
Zelensky initially said 18 people had been killed. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, known as DSNS, later confirmed 24 deaths, including two rescuers and four police officers.
In his late-night video address, the Ukrainian president raised the toll to 26.
Semikin said rescue operations were continuing, but teams had repeatedly been forced to suspend their work because of Russian drone attacks in the area.
A day of mourning has been declared across the Zaporizhzhia region for Tuesday.
Zelensky Condemns Attack
Zelensky said Russian forces could not have been unaware that residents remaining in Komyshuvakha received humanitarian assistance at the site every week.
“This is yet another proof that Russia does not want any de-escalation,” he said.
The Ukrainian leader also referred to a recent joint operation involving Russia and Ukraine to evacuate civilians from the Russian-occupied southern city of Oleshky during a temporary ceasefire brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump.
He said the operation had created an opportunity for further steps towards peace.
“With such killings, Russia is sending the exact opposite signal — Russia is counting on further killings,” Zelensky said.
The Russian military has not publicly commented on the attack.
Peace Talks Ahead
The bombing comes as diplomatic efforts to end the war continue.
Teams from Ukraine, Russia and the United States are expected to resume peace talks in Abu Dhabi next week, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said in a post on X.
The discussions were suspended in February, while Russia has since intensified its attacks on Ukraine. Kyiv has also faced growing pressure on its air defences amid shortages of Western-supplied missile interceptors.
Witkoff said the talks would focus on “post-war security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian efforts, and next steps toward peace”.
US negotiators are also due to meet European and Nato officials in Brussels this week.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
