Deadly Drone Attack Strikes Kherson Market

ALIOSHHKI, Ukraine – A drone attack struck a market in​ Alioshki, ⁤located ‍in​ the Kherson region, on Thursday, April 1, at approximately 9:30 a.m. local ‌time.

Casualties and Response

Vladimir Balance, the regional governor,‍ reported that at least seven people were killed⁣ in what he described as a massive‍ FPV drone attack. He added that‌ 20 others‍ were injured. Emergency services personnel are currently at the scene, according to Balance, working to assess the full extent of the damage.

Accusations of Deliberate Targeting

Balance accused the attackers of deliberately targeting the market on a holiday,alleging the intent was to “maximize‍ the​ number ​of fatalities and‍ civil injuries.” Regional authorities have declared a three-day mourning⁣ period, ⁣lasting from May 1-3.

Russian⁢ Foreign ​Ministry Condemns Attack

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that an inquiry ⁢is underway to identify those responsible for the attack. The ministry vowed ‍that those involved “will face⁤ certain punishment in accordance with the law.”

The ‌Foreign⁣ ministry also extended condolences to the⁢ families and friends of the deceased ‍and wished a ​swift recovery to those injured. The ministry called on the international community and relevant multilateral organizations to condemn “this revolting terrorist‌ attack.”

Background

The regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, along with Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, were annexed by ⁢Russia in late September 2022 following self-determination referendums.

Russia has maintained its “special military operation” in Ukraine since Feb. 24, ⁣2022, citing the protection of the population‍ from what it describes as ‍a “genocide” by Kyiv and to neutralize national security risks posed by the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) eastward.