Russian forces launched a drone attack in broad daylight Tuesday on the center of Lviv, a city in western Ukraine that had been spared much of the fighting that has devastated other parts of the country.
More than a dozen injuries were reported and the number of casualties from the surprise attack was expected to rise, officials warned.
“There are already 13 injured people in hospitals in Lviv,” the city’s mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, posted online. “The number of victims is increasing.”
The regional governor warned residents to take shelter.
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“There has been a strike in the central part of Lviv. According to preliminary information, a UNESCO heritage site has been damaged,” Maksym Kozytskyi posted online. “The threat remains high. Stay in shelters!!!”
Kozytskyi appeared to be referring to the historic 17th century St. Andrew’s Church.
“Russia is attacking a crowded city centre in broad daylight,” Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko posted.
Officials at the Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the news.
With a population of more than 700,000 Lviv is the biggest city in western Ukraine and just a little over 40 miles from the Polish border.
Rescue efforts were underway in 11 other regions of Ukraine after the Russians bombarded the country with more than 390 drone strikes and 34 missile attacks on other cities and key infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
Among other things, apartment buildings were hit, civilian infrastructure was damaged, and even a train was targeted, they said.
Dozens of people were injured, including children, they said. Several deaths were also reported.