Russian strike on a Ukrainian railway station kills 22, injures dozens

On the six-month anniversary of Moscow's invasion, a Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian railway station has killed 22 people, according to Kyiv.

Based on the report, five of the victims of the incident in the eastern village of Chaplyne were burned to death in a car. One of the deceased was an 11-year-old child.

Debris from the missile strike in Chaplyne. Credit: Reuters

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the strike during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. He stated that around 50 individuals were harmed.

So far, Russia has remained silent. It has denied targeting civilian infrastructure on several occasions.

Mr. Zelensky stated that he learnt of the attack on Chaplyne, in the Dnipropetrovsk area, while preparing to address the Security Council, adding, "This is how Russia prepared for the UN Security Council meeting."

"Four passenger carriages are on fire now... the number of fatalities could increase," he continued.

A strike at another train station in April killed more than 50 people.

Ukraine celebrated its annual Independence Day on Wednesday, and Mr. Zelensky earlier stated that Russia might do something "cruel" to disturb the festivities.

Previously, he accused Moscow of turning the Zaporizhzhia nuclear station into a "war zone," putting the plant and the people of Europe at risk and placing the globe "on the verge of radioactive disaster."

The UN Secretary-General stated at the same conference that the "senseless war" might plunge millions into abject poverty in Ukraine and beyond.

Today, people gathered in the streets throughout the world to celebrate Ukraine's independence. To commemorate the milestone, world leaders united in support of the beleaguered country.

March for Ukraine, August 24th 2022, Sofia, Bulgaria. Credit: BulFoto

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Kyiv to express his country's support, offering $63.5 million in new military aid - a number dwarfed by US President Joe Biden's promise of an additional $3 billion.

Messages of support came in from all around the world, including Australia, Germany, Finland, Poland, Turkey, and others. Pope Francis has urged for "concrete efforts" to stop the war and prevent a nuclear accident at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station.

However, the streets of Kyiv were relatively quiet.

Ukraine had outlawed major rallies and activities because of fear that Russia would target them. It came after the US warned its people to evacuate ahead of the anniversary.

Regardless, some congregated on Khreshchatyk Street to see the array of seized Russian tanks and armored vehicles displayed instead of the traditional Ukrainian parade.

President Zelensky and his wife also attended a memorial ceremony for the lost troops and civilians of the conflict, placing yellow and blue flowers at Kyiv's Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders in between political remarks.

Russia had planned a short, conclusive campaign, but Ukrainian resistance quickly pushed Russian forces away from the capital, and Russia redeployed its forces months later to concentrate on the eastern breakaway regions where it already had backing. The front lines have not shifted in recent weeks.