On Saturday, a Russian airstrike hit the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, the regional governor said on Sunday, killing seven people and wounding 148.
Zelensky vowed to give “a concrete answer” to the attack, which occurred as residents attended morning church services during the Orthodox holiday of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The president said that a six-year-old girl was also among the victims.
The UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, Denis Brown, said: “It was heinous to strike a main square of a major city in the early morning when people were walking outside, some going to church to celebrate a religious day for Ukrainians.” “.
Chernihiv, located 150 kilometers (90 mi) north of Kiev, had been largely spared from major attacks since the first months of Russia’s invasion launched in February 2022, as fierce fighting raged to the east and south.
Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in the east and south in June, but faced stiff resistance from Russian forces.
Also on Sunday, supporters of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny held so-called “Putin is a murderer” rallies around the world to mark three years after the poison attack on the anti-corruption activist, which they blamed on the Kremlin .
Carrying placards such as “Freedom for political prisoners” and “Russia out of Ukraine”, a few dozen people protested in front of the Russian embassy in Warsaw, while others demonstrated in cities including Brussels, Prague, London and Tallinn.