Russian missile strike in Chernihiv kills 17, injures 78; City declares day of mourning

Preliminary reports indicate the three missiles were Russian-fired Iskanders.

Apr 18, 2024 - 15:15
Russian missile strike in Chernihiv kills 17, injures 78; City declares day of mourning

Russian missile strike in Chernihiv kills 17, injures 78; City declares day of mourning

A Russian missile attack on Chernihiv on Monday morning has left 17 people dead, with two succumbing to their injuries in the hospital, acting Mayor Oleksandr Lomako reported. 78 people were wounded, including several children.

Among the casualties was 25-year-old police officer Alina Mykolaets, who suffered fatal shrapnel wounds.

Russian missile strike in Chernihiv kills 17, injures 78; City declares day of mourning
25-year-old police officer Alina Mykolaets, who suffered fatal shrapnel wounds. Photo: National Police of UKraine

“Three missile strikes on the city center. An eight-story building was destroyed, high-rise buildings, a hospital, and a higher education institution were damaged, along with dozens of cars,” wrote Vyacheslav Chaus, the head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, on Telegram.

Preliminary reports indicate the missiles were Russian-fired Iskanders. In total, 16 residential buildings were affected, with windows blown out in many apartments. The hospital and a Chernihiv Polytechnic University building were also hit.

Russian missile strike in Chernihiv kills 17, injures 78; City declares day of mourning
Aftermath after Russian missile strike in Chernigiv. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

“Today I met with representatives of our international partners, who are already getting involved in helping the people of Chernihiv, for which we are extremely grateful. Tomorrow, a help center will open in the city where people from the affected buildings can apply for financial assistance,” wrote acting Mayor Lomako on Telegram.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the missile attack on Chernihiv, stating that “this would not have happened if Ukraine had received sufficient air defense means and if the world’s determination to counter Russian terror had also been sufficient.”

The area hit by the Russian missiles was one of the most affected during the shelling in March 2022, when Russia attacked the district hospital, the police department, and many private homes.

The city has declared April 18 a day of mourning for the victims.

Read more:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. 

We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.

A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.

Become a Patron!