13 killed in Russian shelling in Ukraine’s Zaporizhia

At least 13 people have been killed and another 18 wounded in Russian shelling in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhia, local officials say.

“The Russians launched a brutal attack on the city in the middle of the day,” said regional head Ivan Fedorov. He said two guided aerial bombs fell on residential buildings.

Footage has emerged showing a high-rise building on fire and several vehicles on fire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on allies to pressure Russia “for its terror”. The Russian army has not commented. President Vladimir Putin launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In a video message from outside the bombing site, Fedorov said the Russian shelling began at around 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Wednesday.

He said two guided bombs hit residential buildings. Earlier he had said that “industrial infrastructure” had been targeted.

Graphic images posted online show first responders treating casualties on the side of the road, several vehicles on fire and the windows of a stationary tram shattered.

In a video, at least two minibuses are seen with their windows blown out and casualties lying amid debris on the road.

Zaporizhia is located close to the front line.

In a statement later on Wednesday, President Zelensky said that “there is nothing more cruel than launching an aerial bomb over a city, knowing that civilians will suffer harm”.

And appealing for greater support from Ukraine’s allies, he said, “Only through force can such a war be ended with lasting peace”.

A day of mourning will be declared throughout the Zaporizhia region on Thursday.