Russian strike on a Zaporizhzhia aid centre kills at least 40, Zelensky says, with 30 more under rubble

At least 40 people were killed when Russia struck an old school used to hand out humanitarian aid in Ukraine's southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday, 4 November, and more than 30 people may still be under the rubble, CBS News reported. Some reports put the possible toll as high as 70.

What happened

Zelensky said Russia dropped nine bombs on the site: first on people who had come to receive aid, then on the first responders and police who arrived to help. Rescue work was still going on on Wednesday afternoon. He called it an "insane attack" and said: "Unfortunately, there has been very little reaction from the world to this insane attack." He promised a Ukrainian response and repeated his call for more air defence and interceptor missiles: "Ukraine needs air defense support right now."

Russia's Defence Ministry said the strike was aimed at Ukraine's military and claimed it killed as many as 25 Ukrainian service members. Moscow denies targeting civilians.

A hard week for Ukraine

• Tuesday, 3 November: Russia launched one of its largest attacks of the year on Ukraine's energy system, hitting facilities in 10 regions. Kyiv residents were without running water for more than 16 hours until supply returned on Wednesday afternoon.
• Talks: a temporary ceasefire brokered last week by Melania Trump allowed evacuations and aid into Oleshky, a Russian-held city, and Russian and Ukrainian representatives are due to meet her at the White House on Friday, CBS said.

Why readers in Pakistan should follow it

The war keeps world grain and fuel markets tense. Pakistan imports wheat and fuel priced in dollars, so swings in world prices reach the rupee cost here. Follow the daily numbers on our dollar rate page and petrol price page.