Thirteen Dead, Over 100 Injured in Deadly Aerial Bomb Attack in Southern Ukraine City
A devastating attack in a southern Ukrainian city has left 13 civilians dead and 110 injured after two aerial bombs struck an industrial facility.
This incident represents the highest civilian casualties recorded by the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) since a residential building in Dnipro was attacked on January 14, 2023. It is also the deadliest attack since a supermarket in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, was targeted on August 9, 2024.
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Killed While Leaving Work
HRMMU monitors visited the site of the Zaporizhzhia attack, documenting widespread damage and taking testimonies from survivors and witnesses. Their findings revealed the destruction of the industrial facility, nearby buildings, vehicles, and the surrounding roads.
The attack occurred in the afternoon when many workers were leaving the facility at the end of their shifts. Victims included workers from the plant and passersby, many of whom were killed or injured while on the street or traveling by public transportation.
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A Rising Threat from Aerial Glide Bombs
The HRMMU has emphasized the growing threat posed to civilians by the use of aerial bombs in populated areas across Ukraine. Danielle Bell, head of the mission, highlighted that aerial glide bombs have become a significant hazard for people living in cities near the frontlines.
“They are also a major factor behind the 30% rise in civilian deaths and injuries in 2024 compared to 2023,” Bell added.
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Civilian Deaths Skyrocket
According to HRMMU’s latest verified data, published on Thursday, at least 2,064 civilians were killed, and 9,089 injured in 2024. This marks a sharp increase from 2023, which saw 1,971 deaths and 6,626 injuries. The rise has been attributed to the increased deployment of aerial glide bombs by Russian forces.
In 2024 alone, aerial bombs accounted for 360 civilian deaths and 1,861 injuries, which represents a threefold rise in fatalities and a sixfold increase in injuries compared to the previous year.
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Modified Bombs Extend Reach to Urban Areas
The HRMMU reports that the surge in civilian casualties in 2024 is linked to modifications that allow aerial bombs to glide, significantly extending their range. These weapons can now hit cities further from the frontlines, including Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia.
The use of glide bombs was first documented in Kharkiv city in early 2024, followed by Sumy city and region in August, and then Zaporizhzhia the following month. Since September 22, aerial glide bombs have been responsible for at least 35 deaths and 308 injuries in Zaporizhzhia, accounting for 78% of all civilian casualties in the city during that time.
Notable attacks include a strike on December 6, 2024, which killed 10 people and injured 27, including three children, and another on November 7, 2024, where nine died and 42 were injured.
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Foreseeable Consequences and Violations of Humanitarian Law
The HRMMU has raised serious concerns over the use of these weapons in populated areas, emphasizing that international humanitarian law requires all feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm.
Mission Chief Danielle Bell stated, “It was entirely foreseeable that deploying such weapons in a city during the daytime would lead to significant civilian casualties. It is difficult to see how this attack aligns with the obligation to minimize harm to civilians.”
The Zaporizhzhia attack highlights the urgent need for compliance with international laws to protect civilians amid ongoing hostilities.
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