Ukrainian officials reported that at least 26 people were killed Monday, Nov. 2, when Russian aerial bombs struck a humanitarian aid distribution center and a shelter in the village of Komyshuvakha.
The attack in the southern Zaporizhzhia region targeted a school building used to distribute weekly aid and a nearby location where residents sought cover. Regional head Mykhailo Semikin stated that nine 3,000kg aerial bombs were used, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the use of 10 guided bombs. According to Ukraine's state emergencies service (DSNS), the confirmed dead include two rescuers and four police officers. Five people were injured, and while 27 were initially reported missing, search teams continued to look for individuals trapped under the rubble. Rescue operations were interrupted several times by the presence of Russian drones.
The incident followed a period of increased military activity as Kyiv’s air defense capabilities were reported to be diminished due to a shortage of Western-supplied interceptors. The strike also took place shortly after a successful joint Russian-Ukrainian operation to evacuate civilians from the occupied city of Oleshky during a temporary ceasefire brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. The Russian military has not issued a public comment regarding the Monday strikes.
The regional government declared a day of mourning for Tuesday across the entire Zaporizhzhia province. The attack occurred just days before peace negotiations involving representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. are scheduled to resume in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Negotiations were previously suspended in February, though officials noted that a major breakthrough is not expected during the upcoming sessions.