Death toll rises to 26 after Russian strikes on Ukrainian aid site

Ukraine’s emergency service said two rescue workers and four police officers were among those killed in Monday’s strikes in the Zaporizhzhia region. The death toll rose from an initial 18 reported by President Volodymyr Zelensky to 24 and then 26 as crews searched for victims.

Zelensky said the school was no longer holding classes and that its building and shelter were used to distribute humanitarian aid every Monday. He said Russian forces struck when people had arrived for aid, then struck again, hitting the shelter.

The emergency service said rescuers and police arrived after the first strike. Rescuers took cover when a further attack threatened, before the site was hit again.

Zelensky said five people were in hospital, while the emergency service reported five injured. Regional broadcaster Suspilne separately reported at least 10 injured. Zelensky said people remained under the rubble and that rescue work would continue.