THIS is the shocking moment a Russian ballistic missile struck the centre of a busy Ukrainian town.
The city of Chernihiv has reported mass casualties as a result of the brutal attack, which has killed five and injured 37 civilians – including 11 children.
The woman could be seen smiling
Until the missile exploded behind her
In the video, a young woman can be seen smiling and posing in a white dress, when suddenly the building behind her explodes and the video cuts off.
The building struck by a ballistic missile was allegedly hosting a drone exhibition at the time.
People had been on their way to church to celebrate a religious holiday when the strike took place, the ministry said.
President Zelensky said of the attack: “A Russian missile hit right in the center of the city, in our Chernihiv. A square, the polytechnic university, a theater.
“An ordinary Saturday, which Russia turned into a day of pain and loss.”
The missile used in the attack is thought to be an Iskander missile, which weigh four tons and measure 23 feet long.
He posted a video from the scene that showed debris around a large Soviet-era building, with parked cars around it that were partially destroyed, with smashed roofs and windows blown out.
Another photo shared widely on Twitter appears to show a man lying in a pool of blood following the deadly strike.
Those among the injured and dead are thought to have been heading to the church and drone exhibition in the town centre.
Smoke was seen rising from the Chernihiv Theatre in the town centre, which appears to be at the centre of the strike.
Chernihiv lies 90 miles north of Kyiv, close to the border of Belarus.
The head of the Chernihiv region, Vyacheslav Chaus said on Telegram: “The enemy shelled the centre of Chernihiv. Preliminarily, a ballistic missile.”
Interior minister Igor Kylmenko said on Telegram: “Five people died. Thirty-seven people were wounded, including 11 children.”
It comes days after the Ukrainian government announced plans for new military fortifications in the Chernihiv region along its border with Belarus.
The region was partially occupied at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, but it was later liberated.
In the early days of the war, dramatic footage showed a direct hit on an armoured Russian tank in Chernihiv Oblast.
It is believed to have been struck by a Ukrainian FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank weapon.
The burnt-out shell, covered in Russian “Z” logos, was left stranded, surrounded by shrapnel.
ReutersThe building’s roof has been reduced to rubble[/caption]
ReutersFirst responders are searching for survivors[/caption]