On 19 August 2023, Russian military forces launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile at the Taras Shevchenko Theater in downtown Chernihiv, Ukraine.

Events

The theater was hosting an exhibition on the use of consumer drones in the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, titled "Lyuti Ptashky" (Angry Birds), which was described by its organisers as "a closed meeting of engineers, military and volunteers."[1] Governor of Chernihiv Oblast, Vyacheslav Chaus, announced that 7 were dead, including a 6-year-old girl. Another 144 were injured, including 15 children and 15 policemen,[2] with 41 injuries being grievous and requiring medical evacuations to a hospital.[3][4][5][6]

Earlier in the day Russian President Vladimir Putin, met with his top generals in Rostov-on-Don while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was in Sweden for discussions of the import of Saab JAS 39 Gripens to Ukraine.[1] In an address, Zelenskyy called the attack "vile" and that “I am sure our soldiers will give a response to Russia for this terrorist attack,” promising a “a notable response” to Russia in the coming days.[6]

Mayor Oleksandr Lomako announced a three day of mourning in the city for the victims of the attack.[7] The strike occurred during the Orthodox holiday of the Transfiguration of the Lord, and certain locals were going to morning church services in Chernihiv. UN's humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, condemned Russia for attacking civilians: "I condemn this repeated pattern of Russian strikes on populated areas of Ukraine... Attacks directed against civilians or civilian objects are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law".[8]

Aftermath

On 30 November 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine charged Colonel-General Yevgeny Nikiforov, the commander of the “West” grouping of the Russian military, in absentia for ordering the attack.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Kostenko, Maria; Dean, Sarah; Tanno, Sophie (19 August 2023). "Seven dead including six-year-old girl as Russian missile hits center of Ukraine's Chernihiv city". CNN. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Ракетний удар по центру Чернігова. Поліція уточнила кількість постраждалих" (in Ukrainian). РБК-Україна. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  3. ^ Ogirenko, Valentyn (19 August 2023). "Seven killed, 144 wounded in Russian missile strike on Ukraine's Chernihiv". Reuters. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Russia Hits Ukraine's Chernihiv After Putin Meets Generals - Wrap Up". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  5. ^ Waterhouse, James; Wright, George (19 August 2023). "Chernihiv: Russian missile strike kills seven and injures 144, Ukraine says". BBC. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  6. ^ a b Sabbagh, Dan (20 August 2023). "At least seven killed in Russian strike on theatre in centre of Chernihiv". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  7. ^ Kelsey Ables, Victoria Bisset, David L. Stern, Justine McDaniel, Jan Ludwig, Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff (19 August 2023). "Ukraine live briefing: Russian strike on theater in Chernihiv kills seven, injures more than 140, Ukraine says". The Washington Post. Retrieved 20 August 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "UN condemns fatal Russian attack on Ukraine's Chernihiv". Hindustan Times. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  9. ^ Natalia Yermak. "Russian general charged in absentia for ordering missile strike on Chernihiv theater in 2023". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 2024-11-30.

Media related to Missile attack on Chernihiv, 19 August 2023 at Wikimedia Commons

Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_2023_Chernihiv_missile_strike
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