22 People Killed In Russian Rocket Strikes On Ukraine's Independence Day, President Zelensky: No Traces Of This Crime Will Be Left

The impact of the Russian rocket attack on the Chaplyne train station on the anniversary of Ukrainian Independence August 24. (Twitter/@DmytroKuleba)

JAKARTA - At least 22 people were killed and dozens injured in a Russian rocket attack on a train station on Ukraine's Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

In a video address to the United Nations Security Council, President Zelensky said the rocket hit a train in the small town of Chaplyne, about 145 km (90 miles) west of Russian-occupied Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Four carriages caught fire, he said.

"Chaplyne is our suffering today. To date there have been 22 dead," Zelensky said in a video speech later evening, adding Ukraine would hold Russia accountable for everything it had done.

"We will without a doubt drive out the invaders from our lands. No trace of this crime will be left in our free Ukraine," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this attack.

The day before, President Zelensky had warned of the risk of "disgusting Russian provocations" on Independence Day, which coincided with six months of the country's invasion of Ukraine.

The celebration of the August 24 national holiday was canceled, but many Ukrainians marked the occasion by wearing embroidered shirts typical of the national dress.

It is understood air raid sirens blared at least seven times in the Kyiv capital during the day although no attacks took place.