Russian strike on Ukraine shopping centre death toll rises as G7 leaders condemn 'war crime'

28.06.2022 - 11:03 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

The leaders of the G7 group said a deadly Russian missile attack on a shopping centre in Ukraine was "abominable". The strike, in the central-eastern city of Kremenchuk, located around 81 miles from Russian areas of control, has killed at least 18 people.

There are fears the death toll will continue to rise, while at least 59 people were injured. Harrowing pictures shared on social media showed huge flames billowing from the building, as teams launched a massive rescue operation.

The attack happened at around 3.50pm, while some 1,000 civilians were thought to be inside the shopping centre, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. He added that the target presented “no threat to the Russian army” and had “no strategic value”.

Read more:"Unimaginable" numbers of people feared dead or injured after Russian rocket strike hits shopping centre in Ukraine

The leaders of G7, who are currently meeting in Germany, condemned the "indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians" as a "war crime." In a joint statement, they said: “We will continue to provide financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support and stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

"As we do so, we commit to demonstrate global responsibility and solidarity through working to address the international impacts of Russia’s aggression, especially on the most vulnerable.”

Boris Johnson said the attack, on the day Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the G7 summit (Monday 27 June), would strengthen the resolve of allies to resist Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Mr Zelensky, who had urged G7 leaders to supply missile defence systems, had described the toll of the attack on the site in Kremenchuk as “unimaginable”. Mr Johnson said: “This appalling attack