Dozens Of People Killed As A Result Of Russian Missiles Hit Shops And Cafes, Ukrainian Defense Minister: Deliberately Attacking At Lunch Hours

Russian missile attacks destroyed shops and cafes in Kupiansk. (Twitter/@ZelenskyyUa)

JAKARTA - At least 51 people died as a Russian missile hit cafes and grocery stores in Ukraine's northeastern village on Thursday, officials said.

Cafes and shops in Hroza Village, Kupiansk District, Kharkiv Region were destroyed into rubble in the afternoon, said district governor By Synehubov, adding many civilians were there at the time.

Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Ihor Klymenko said the inhabited villagers of about 330 people were holding a warning ceremony at the cafe that was attacked, with local officials saying they were sitting to eat.

"From each family, from each household, there are people present at this commemoration. This is a terrible tragedy," Klymenko told Ukrainian television.

The attack has been the deadliest in Kharkiv's territory since the Russian invasion more than 19 months ago, a spokesman for Kharkiv's regional military rule told Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne.

Serangan ini juga tampaknya menjadi salah satu serangan dengan korban tewas warga terbesar di wilayah Ukraina sejak awal perangan.

Klymenko cited preliminary information that he said indicated the attack was carried out with the Iskander ballistic missile.

He said the attack was clearly on target, while Ukraine's security services had conducted an investigation into the matter.

"The terrorists deliberately carried out attacks during lunch hours, to determine the maximum number of victims," said Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

"There is no military target there. This is a heinous crime meant to scare Ukrainians," he criticized.

Separately, Russia did not immediately comment on the incident in Hroza. Moscow had previously denied deliberately targeting civilians, but many were killed in attacks that hit residential areas as well as energy facilities, defense, ports, wheat and other facilities.