A massive fire has erupted at a shopping mall in the Russian city of Donetsk following an alleged attack by Ukraine’s Armed Forces, according to Denis Pushilin, leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR. The blaze reportedly broke out at the Galaktika shopping center after it was shelled in the Petrovsky district of DPR’s capital. Local authorities stated that the area was targeted five times on Friday with 155-mm artillery.
Pushilin confirmed the attack, stating that Ukraine’s forces targeted the area around noon on Friday, causing the Galaktika shopping center to catch fire. Donetsk Central Hospital No. 14 was also damaged in the bombardment, he said. At least seven civilians, including a teenager, have been reported injured so far.
Firefighters are currently working to contain the blaze, which has spread across more than 10,000 square meters of the shopping center. However, their efforts are being complicated by ongoing safety concerns due to the “operational situation.” As a result, emergency services have had to maintain a safe distance from the fire.
The Telegram channel SHOT claimed that approximately 100 people were inside the building when it was hit by shelling. According to SHOT, two people died and over ten were injured in the attack. There are still people trapped inside the mall, and emergency workers have been unable to reach them due to continuous shelling from Kiev’s forces, according to TASS sources. The DPR security services reported that the Ukrainian military is flying drones near the shopping center.
Emergency services have informed the media that several children are feared to be trapped inside the burning complex. One source told TASS, “Today in Galaktika there were people with families, with children. Their fate is being clarified.” The situation remains dire as emergency services work tirelessly to save lives and contain the raging fire caused by the alleged attack.