A Russian airstrike on the eastern Ukrainian settlement of Yarova killed 24 civilians waiting for pension payments on Tuesday, Ukrainian officials confirmed.
The attack comes as Moscow intensifies its aerial campaign and Poland reports shooting down drones that violated its airspace, raising fears of wider escalation.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as a “brutally savage” attack directly on civilians. Video posted by him showed bodies near a playground and a burned-out van, though the images could not be independently verified.
Ukraine’s interior ministry confirmed the death toll at 24. Military officials said Russia used a glide bomb, part of its arsenal designed to strike targets deep behind the front line.
Yarova, a small settlement just eight kilometers from the front, had a pre-war population of less than 2,000. Locals gathered in grief outside a morgue where at least 13 bodies were laid in black bags.
Zelensky urges global response
Zelensky appealed to Western allies for action.
“A response is needed from the United States. A response is needed from Europe. A response is needed from the G20,” he said, insisting that “strong actions” must be taken to stop Russia’s escalating strikes.
Ukraine’s prosecutor general has opened a war crimes investigation into the attack. Moscow has not issued an official comment.
Germany and US step up support
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Berlin will supply Ukraine with “several thousand long-range drones” to weaken Russian forces.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also pledged stronger measures but urged European unity. “Our European partners must fully join us in this to be successful,” he said.
Poland reports drone incursion
In a separate escalation, Poland confirmed that Russian drones violated its airspace during the same wave of strikes on Ukraine.
“This is an act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our citizens,” Poland’s Operation Command said on X. Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed a military response, noting that weapons had been used against the objects.
As a NATO member, Poland’s confrontation with Russian drones immediately raised concerns across Europe. Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said Warsaw was in “constant contact” with NATO command and had activated Territorial Defense Forces for ground searches of debris.
Airports closed amid tensions
Polish authorities temporarily closed Warsaw Chopin Airport and two others due to unplanned military activity. NATO aircraft were scrambled, and air defense systems were placed on high alert.
The incident follows Russia’s largest drone assault on Ukraine over the weekend, which included more than 800 drones and a strike on Kyiv’s Cabinet of Ministers building.
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