Russian Missile Attack on Chernihiv Leaves 18 Dead, 77 Injured

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that as a result of a Russian missile attack on the social infrastructure of Chernihiv, 18 people died, and 77 were injured, including 4 children, as of Thursday morning, April 18.

Rescuers stated that three people were rescued from the rubble, and 58 individuals received psychological assistance. Additionally, 1,580 tons of construction debris were removed, and 71% of the destroyed building section was dismantled. Rescue operations are still ongoing.

On Wednesday evening, there was information about 17 dead and 78 injured civilians, including three children. More than 40 people were transported to the hospital.

Russian troops launched three missile attacks on the border сity of Chernihiv on Wednesday, April 17, hitting nearly the center of the city.

“The enemy launched three rocket attacks almost in the city’s center. There are dead civilians, there are many wounded,” Vyacheslav Chaus, head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, reported on Telegram.

Chaus said that rescuers and medics are on the scene, providing critical assistance to those affected by the strikes.

At 3:43 p.m., the State Emergency Service of Ukraine stated that the Russian attacked had killed 15 people and injured 61 others, including three children. It said that three people had been rescued from the rubble.

Then, at 4:14 p.m., the State Emergency Service updated the number to 16 people dead.

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The Chernihiv Regional Military Administration has established headquarters to aid victims, with operations currently based at the Main Directorate of the National Police in the region. Chaus also urged the townspeople to donate blood due to the shortage caused by the extensive shelling of Chernihiv.

Acting Mayor of Chernihiv Oleksandr Lomako disclosed that the missiles struck civil and social infrastructure objects within the city.

“Hospitals are operating in an intensified mode and have begun receiving the first casualties,” Lomako said.

Timeline

9:03 a.m. Lomako initially reported four deaths, stating: “From what I can see, the number may be higher, unfortunately, because there are many unexplored areas.”

10:40 a.m. Lomako stated that there were eight confirmed deaths and 18 injuries.

11:35 a.m. Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko stated that 11 people were killed and 22 wounded.

Klymenko, on Telegram, also released a video capturing the moment one of the victims was rescued.

“We have reports of at least three missing persons. There are still people under the rubble,” he said.

A 25-year-old police lieutenant, who lived in a neighboring house and was at home on sick leave, was among those killed, he said.

“Deadly shrapnel wound,” Klymenko wrote, expressing his condolences to the families of all those killed by the Russian attack.

Later, the National Police of Ukraine stated that the deceased policewoman, Alina Mykolaets, was an inspector in the response department of the patrol police of the Chernihiv district administration. She had served there since June 2023.

12:01 p.m. Deputy Head of the President’s Oleksiy Kuleba, stated that 50 people had reported injuries, including three children, and that there were 11 fatalities.

“There may still be individuals trapped under the rubble,” he added.

Kuleba stated that Russian missile strikes destroyed an eight-story building and damaged four multi-story buildings, a hospital, a higher education institution, and dozens of cars.

12:47 p.m. Klymenko reported that the number of dead had risen to 13, and the number of injured to more than 60, including two children.

“The victims are being provided with the necessary assistance. The police officers are conducting a door-to-door inspection of the damaged houses, helping the wounded,” the minister wrote.

1:30 p.m. The Prosecutor General's Office announced that the number of people killed as a result of a rocket attack by Russian troops on Chernihiv had increased to 14.

Zelensky Reacts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to the Russian attack, stating, “My condolences to the family and friends. Unfortunately, the number of dead may increase.”

“And this would not have happened if Ukraine had received enough air defense equipment and if the world’s determination to counter Russian terror was also sufficient,” Zelensky added.

Ukrainian determination is sufficient, but “we need the determination of partners and support that will reflect it sufficiently,” Zelensky said.

“The strike directly hit an 8-story social infrastructure building, visibly damaging wall elements from the third to the sixth floor and its annexes,” Lomako said.

It was a multi-purpose building, with mixed residential and light commercial zones, and had no military use or value.

Numerous nearby buildings were also affected, with many cars in the area damaged, Lomako said.

“This is a vital area of urban infrastructure, situated at the intersection of two streets. Hence, there was heavy traffic at the time,” he said.

Local media reported issues with the city’s power supply. Confirming this, Lomako mentioned that efforts are underway to address the aftermath of the strikes, leading to the temporary shutdown of all communications, electricity, and gas in the affected area.

“To prevent further destruction, especially to critical infrastructure, these measures were necessary,” he said.

“We anticipate ongoing challenges in this area. Currently, our primary focus is on search and rescue operations. The extent of the damage is significant, and there is much work ahead of us,” Lomako stated.

Kyiv Post will continue to update this story as new information becomes available.