Ukraine raises Zaporizhia aid strike death toll to at least 50

The death toll from a Russian attack on an aid distribution centre in Ukraine’s Zaporizhia region has risen to at least 50 people, making it one of the deadliest Russian attacks this year. Ukraine’s emergency service announced on Friday that the toll from Monday’s strike on the village of Komyshuvakha has risen after eight more bodies were recovered from the rubble. Acting regional governor Mykhailo Semikin later said that the death toll reached 53 people, as rescuers continued their search for missing bodies for the fifth day.

Local police on Wednesday said that 59 people were listed as missing, though some might be among the bodies already found. As rescuers continue to work, specialists have been taking DNA samples to identify the bodies. Continuing Russian attacks have also remained a constant threat to the rescue operation.

Ukraine said that Russian aircraft bombed a former school near the front lines on Monday, which civilians used for weekly aid handouts.