Death toll rises to 17 after Russian attack on Ukraine's Chernihiv

The death toll after aRussian missile attack on thenorthern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv on Wednesday (Apr 17) rose to 17, said the local officials. Areport by Reuters citingemergency services said that 60 others, includingthree children, have been injured.

In an update, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko had earliersaid that the attack killed at least 13 people and left more than 60 injured, asrescue operations continue.

Thestrike also damaged fourbuildings, a hospital, an education facility and dozens of private cars, he added in a statement on Telegram.

Regional leader Vyacheslav Chaus says civilians were killed and injured when three missiles hit close to the city centre.

Chaus toldUkrainian public broadcaster Suspilne thatRussia carried out the attack with three Iskander cruise missiles.

Theattack on Chernihiv comes hours after reports surfaced about a Ukrainian attack on a Russian military base in occupied Crimea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media, "Unfortunately, the death toll may still rise. This would not have happened if Ukraine had received a sufficient number of air defense systems and if the world's determination to counter Russian terror had been sufficient."

Chernihiv’s acting mayor, Oleksandr Lomako, said Russian missiles had targeted an eight-storey building which he described as social infrastructure in a densely populated area.

The head of Chernihiv regional hospital had previously saidat least 18 people wounded in the attack were being treated there. More injured civilians had been taken to other hospitals, he said, urging residents to donate blood.

Videos circulating on social media showedflames of black smoke rising over the historic citythat lies about 150 km (95 miles) from the capital Kyiv.People ran from a bus to take cover.

Russia, which denies targeting civilians, invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has launched thousands of missiles and drones on Ukrainian cities and villages in attacks that have killed hundreds of civilians.

In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian cities, targeting the country's power sector and other critical infrastructure.

(With inputs from agencies)