UKRAINE’S president has vowed to make Vladimir Putin pay after a Russian missile strike on a theatre killed seven — including a six-year-old girl.
Volodymyr Zelensky said his soldiers would give a “notable response” to what he called a “terrorist attack”, which claimed the life of little Sofia and other victims.
GettyMissile attacks hit the Chernihiv Regional Academic Ukrainian Music and Drama Theatre killing 7 people[/caption]
GettyA wounded man in a bloody shirt walks across a square in front of the theatre building damaged by Russian shelling, where people were hiding from bombs[/caption]
At least 15 children were also among the 148 wounded and at least 25 civilians had been treated in hospital, as of last night.
UN officials called the strike in Chernihiv on Saturday “heinous”.
In his nightly video address, President Zelensky said: “Unfortunately, seven people died. Among them is a girl, her name was Sofia. She was six-years-old. My condolences to the relatives.
“I am sure our soldiers will respond to Russia for this terrorist attack. Respond tangibly.”
Earlier on Saturday, he said online: “A Russian missile hit right in the centre of the city, in our Chernihiv. A square, the polytechnic university, a theatre.
“An ordinary Saturday which Russia turned into a day of pain and loss.”
A short video accompanying Zelensky’s message showed debris scattered across a square in front of the theatre, where parked cars were damaged.
Yesterday, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence said: “Seven people were killed and doctors are fighting to save the lives of the injured.
“Although the theatre was destroyed, we only have grown stronger, more determined and more certain of our victory.
“Evil will be dealt with. No amount of terror can prevent this punishment.”
The missile hit a theatre that was hosting a gathering of drone manufacturers in the morning.
Everyone inside managed to get to bomb shelters when air raid sirens went off.
Most victims were crossing the road, in their vehicles or returning from church.
Bloodied civilians were later seen walking across the square, while others hugged each other as a rescue operation started.
One witness, restaurant manager Anna Zahreba, said: “There were two 12-year-old girls here and a lot of blood. One had her leg badly wounded.
“Another girl was screaming. We applied a tourniquet and waited for an ambulance.”
UN humanitarian coordinator Denise Brown said yesterday that it was “heinous to attack the main square of a large city in the morning, while people are out walking, some going to church to celebrate a religious day for many Ukrainians”.
GettyWorkers from the Vertel cafe hug before cleaning up after a missile attack in the center of Chernihiv[/caption]
6-year-old Sofia from Chernihiv was killed in the theatre attacks
East2West129 people were injured in the vile raid[/caption]