KOMYSHUVAKHA/KYIV, Ukraine — The death toll from a Russian airstrike on a humanitarian aid distribution centre in southeastern Ukraine has risen to 40, with another 59 people reported missing, Ukrainian authorities have said.
The attack targeted a building in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia region, which was being used as an underground shelter and a distribution point for humanitarian assistance to local residents.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces struck the facility as civilians gathered to collect assistance, before launching additional bombs against the shelter.
The attack has become one of the deadliest reported strikes on civilians in Ukraine this year.
The casualty figures were updated on Wednesday as emergency personnel continued searching the damaged structure for survivors and victims.
Death Toll Rises as Rescuers Search Rubble
The bombing occurred on Monday, November 2, when Russian guided bombs struck a former school building and an associated underground shelter.
The school had stopped conducting classes because of its proximity to the front line.
However, it continued to serve as a shelter and humanitarian assistance centre, with residents gathering there every Monday to receive food and other essential supplies.
Zelenskyy said the initial bombing was followed by additional strikes as people sought shelter.
The death toll subsequently rose to 40.
Ivan Fedorov, co-head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Defence Council, reported that 59 people remained missing.
Earlier on Wednesday, the regional police had reported recovering 37 bodies, with 59 people listed as missing.
The later figure of 40 deaths reflects subsequent updates as rescue operations continued.
Emergency workers have also faced difficulties identifying some victims, making DNA testing necessary.
Two rescue workers and four police officers were among those reported killed.
Reuters Verifies Bodycam Footage of the Attack
Reuters reported that it had verified body-camera footage recovered from a police officer who died in the attack.
The footage showed residents gathering near the entrance to an underground shelter after warnings that Russian glide bombs were approaching.
People were seen rushing down the stairs into the shelter.
The recording then captured a major explosion before the camera went dark.
Ukrainian police said several strikes hit the area, including a three-tonne FAB guided bomb.
The footage provides important visual evidence of the circumstances immediately preceding the explosion.
However, a complete independent forensic investigation into the attack and its targeting circumstances remains outstanding.
Russia Says Military Targets Were Hit
Russia’s Defence Ministry has offered a different explanation for the attack.
It said Russian forces targeted Ukrainian military units around Komyshuvakha and two other settlements.
The ministry claimed that up to 25 Ukrainian servicemen were killed.
Ukraine maintains that the affected building was being used for humanitarian assistance and sheltering civilians.
Both countries deny deliberately targeting civilians.
The competing accounts highlight the importance of independent investigations into attacks involving civilian infrastructure and alleged military targets.
Fresh Russian Attacks Disrupt Electricity and Water Supplies
The humanitarian crisis has been compounded by another extensive Russian aerial assault targeting Ukrainian infrastructure.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 310 drones overnight, including 81 jet-powered drones.
It said 272 drones were shot down or suppressed.
The attacks caused electricity and water disruptions across Kyiv and surrounding regions.
Residents in affected neighbourhoods were advised to obtain drinking water from public fountains, while emergency centres were established to provide electricity for charging phones and access to hot drinks.
The attacks also affected critical energy infrastructure, adding pressure to Ukraine’s electricity network as winter approaches.
The wider disruption demonstrates how attacks on energy facilities can affect civilian life far beyond the immediate areas struck.
International Peace Talks Remain on the Agenda
The latest attacks come shortly before another round of US-mediated diplomatic discussions involving Ukraine and Russia.
US envoy Steve Witkoff said delegations from both countries were expected to meet in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11.
The discussions are expected to address ending the war, postwar security arrangements and de-escalation.
Meanwhile, representatives of the United States, European countries, NATO, the World Bank and the European Union met in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said negotiations should address Russian concessions rather than focus exclusively on what Ukraine might be required to surrender.
The continued attacks, however, underscore the difficulties facing diplomatic efforts while military operations remain active.
Developing Story
The reported death toll of 40 and the figure of 59 missing remain subject to further updates.
Rescue teams are continuing to recover bodies and identify victims, including through DNA comparisons with relatives.
The full extent of the damage and the circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation.
Further developments are expected as emergency operations continue.
