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There is no relief from pain or suffering, and Ukraine needs its international partners now more than ever, according to ITV News correspondent John Ray.
G7 leaders have warned Russian President Vladimir Putin “will be held accountable” for launching a “disgusting” and fatal attack on a crowded shopping mall in Ukraine.
At least 1,000 shoppers were in the mall when a Russian missile struck, President Vladimir Zelensky said in what he described as “one of the most catastrophic terrorist attacks in European history”.
At least 13 people have been killed and more than 40 injured after Russian long-range bombers fired a rocket at a mall in the central town of Kremenchuk, Poltava, the district governor said.
However, the death toll was difficult to determine as rescuers continued to search the smoldering wreckage.
President Zelenski uploaded a video on his Facebook page showing giant jets of black smoke, dust and orange flames engulfing the mall as ambulance crews rushed to search for broken metal and concrete for victims and put out fires.
“The invaders hit the mall with missiles, where there were over a thousand civilians … The number of victims is unimaginable,” the president wrote on Facebook.
Firefighters are working to put out the fire in the destroyed shopping center. Credit: State Emergency Service of Ukraine
In a joint statement, G7 leaders – who met on Monday and pledged to support Ukraine “as much as necessary” – said they “solemnly condemn the heinous attack on a shopping center in Kremenchuk”.
“We are united with Ukraine in mourning the innocent victims of this brutal attack.
“Indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians are a war crime. Russian President Putin and the perpetrators will be held accountable.
“Today, we have emphasized our unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, an unjustified war of choice that has been raging for 124 days.
Earlier, Zelensky stressed that the goal in the shopping center is not a “threat to the Russian army” and “has no strategic value.” He accused Russia of sabotaging “people’s attempts to live normal lives, which angered the occupiers so much.”
“Russia continues to bring its impotence to ordinary civilians. It is useless to hope for decency and humanity on his part, “Zelenski continued.
One rocket hit a shopping mall and another a sports arena in the city, said Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military said the mall was hit by missiles fired by Russian Tu-22M3 bombers from the skies over Russia’s western Kursk region.
Mayor Vitaly Maletsky wrote on Facebook that the attack “affected a very crowded place, which is 100% certain that it has no connection with the armed forces.”
Authorities say there are fears that many people were killed in the attack in Kremenchuk. Credit: State Emergency Service of Ukraine
At a G7 summit in Germany on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “barbarism” following the attack on Kremenchuk.
“This horrific attack has once again shown the depths of cruelty and barbarism to which the Russian leader will sink,” he said.
“Again, our thoughts are with the families of the innocent victims in Ukraine. Putin must realize that his behavior will do nothing but strengthen the determination of Ukraine and any other G-7 country to stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary.
The attack came when Russia launched a comprehensive attack on the last Ukrainian fortress in the eastern Luhansk region, the city of Lisichansk.
Moscow troops “poured fire” on Lisichansk from the ground and air, according to the local governor.
A woman injured in Russian shelling in the center of Slavyansk, Donetsk. Credit: AP
The latest attacks come just a day after major explosions hit the capital, Kyiv, on Sunday morning, leaving a nearby children’s room damaged by a crater in the yard.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said one person had died, four people had been hospitalized with injuries and a seven-year-old girl had been pulled alive from the rubble.
Officials believe the strike was made in an attempt to intimidate Ukraine ahead of international summits on Monday and in the coming days, where support for the country will be high on the agenda.
On Monday, the world’s largest economic powers pledged to “continue to provide financial, humanitarian and military support to Ukraine for as long as necessary” at a G7 summit in Germany.
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Speaking at the meeting via video link, President Zelensky stressed the urgency of helping his country fight Russia.
G-7 leaders have vowed to pursue a ceiling on Russian oil prices, raise tariffs on Russian goods and impose other new sanctions.
“We will not rest until Russia ends the brutal and senseless war with Ukraine,” the leaders added in a statement.
NATO will also agree to provide additional military support to Ukraine – including secure communications systems and anti-drone systems – when convened in Spain for a summit, according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
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