At least 33 dead after Russia drops nine bombs on a Ukrainian school building

Key Points:

• At least 33 people were killed and 50 remain missing after Russia dropped at least nine bombs on a school shelter in Komyshuvakha, southeastern Ukraine, described by President Zelensky as one of the deadliest attacks of the war.
• The shelter, a newly-built EU-funded reinforced basement used as a humanitarian aid center, collapsed under the force of the bombs, causing a fire and trapping civilians and first responders inside.
• The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission stated the attack violated international humanitarian law, noting the humanitarian aid distribution was publicly known and civilians were gathered at the time.
• The strike coincided with a massive Russian missile and drone barrage targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which Zelensky linked to the timing of the US congressional elections and called for increased US support to defend Ukraine’s skies.
• The attack followed a pattern of “double-tap” strikes, where initial bombings are followed by secondary attacks targeting emergency responders, resulting in additional casualties including multiple police officers and first responders.