Fifteen people are dead following the Feb. 4th shelling in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk, according to reports from the country’s government news organization, the Union.
A shelter providing food and supplies to the war-worn people of the city sustained significant damage when a shell exploded nearby.
A hospital and dental clinic were also hit, along with a kindergarten playground. Six were killed on impact and nine more died from injuries sustained during the midday attack.
Killed instantly
One Donetsk woman reported to France 24 English that the shock wave from the shell was so strong it knocked her over. Her son had been walking on the other side of the street and was killed instantly.
BBC reports that glass lined the streets and a large crater was left behind where the shell landed. There were also reports of gunfire in the aftermath.
Ukrainian news outlets report that the damaged shelter and aid center was owned by pro-Russian billionaire Renat Akhmetov.
However, it is not clear who is responsible for this most recent bout of violence, as the ongoing conflict between Russian separatists and the Ukrainian government continues.
Situation deteriorating
Meanwhile, the international observer group Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has called for end to the fighting. The humanitarian situation in the region is deteriorating rapidly, it says.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office also called on all forces to establish a three-day truce in the region.
This conflict has already claimed 5,358 and displaced thousands more.
Image courtesy of EuroMaiden PR.
