Russian Missile Hits Ukraine Market, Kills 17, During US Secretary of State’s Visit

A Russian missile hit an outdoor market in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, killing 17 people and injuring many. This missile attack coincided with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to the country with more than USD 1 billion American funding for Ukraine.

The US help includes military and humanitarian aid.

While Blinken was in Ukraine, Russia made a missile attack on the city of Kostiantynivka, targeting the marketplace. It was one of the deadliest bombardments of civilians in the 18-month-old war. In addition to the 17 dead, at least 32 people were wounded.

“Those who know this place are well aware that it is a civilian area,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a news conference with the Danish prime minister in Kyiv. “There aren’t any military units nearby. The strike was deliberate.”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said such brutal Russian attacks underscore “the importance of continuing to support the people of Ukraine.”