Russian strikes on Ukrainian aid centre kill 26, around 20 missing

The strikes targeted the village of Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region of southern Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials. A school building serving as a humanitarian aid distribution point was struck first, followed by an attack on a nearby civilian shelter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement.

The timing of the bombardment is significant, occurring as a limited ceasefire in the southern Kherson region expired Monday. That agreement had permitted humanitarian missions and evacuations into front-line areas under Russian control, providing a temporary respite for civilian populations in conflict zones.

Zelenskyy characterized the strikes as a deliberate rejection of peace efforts. "This is further proof that Russia wants no de-escalation," he said, stating that the attacks sent a signal contrary to any progress toward negotiated settlement. "With these killings, Russia is sending an entirely opposite signal: Russia is counting on more killings."

The incident underscores ongoing civilian casualties in the conflict, with humanitarian infrastructure becoming a focus of military operations. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russian forces of targeting civilian facilities, allegations Moscow denies.