**Russian Air Strike on Ukrainian Prison Kills 16, Injures Dozens**
A devastating Russian air strike on a prison in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast has left a trail of destruction and death. The attack, which was carried out late on July 28, killed 16 convicts and injured nearly a hundred more.
According to the Justice Ministry, all remaining convicts were evacuated from the facility immediately after the attack. The prison staff had a coordinated response at the time of the strike, which prevented even more victims, Deputy Justice Minister Yevhen Pikalov said.
The Russian air strike was described as “deliberate” by Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, who visited the site along with Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov. “This is a terrorist act, a deliberate attack on a penitentiary institution, which cannot be justified by any military goals,” he said.
The strike was carried out using four bombs at around 11:30 p.m. on July 28, according to the State Criminal-Executive Service. The prison has bomb shelters, but due to the nature of the strike, it was impossible for the convicts to use them.
**International Community Condemns Attack**
The international community has condemned the attack on the Ukrainian prison. Russia regularly strikes civilian targets throughout the country as it continues to wage its war against Ukraine.
“This is a direct violation of international humanitarian law,” Halushchenko said, adding that the Justice Ministry had already appealed to international organizations to come to the scene and record the fact of deliberate terrorism.
**Prison Staff Praised for Quick Response**
The prison staff has been praised for their quick response at the time of the attack. “The colony has bomb shelters, and during air raids, the convicts go down there,” Halushchenko said. “But this time, unfortunately, due to the nature of the strike, it was impossible to use the shelter.”
**Next Steps for Restoring the Site**
The Justice Ministry visited the site of the Russian attack and discussed next steps for restoring the site alongside Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov. Bilenke is located around 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Zaporizhzhia.
As Ukraine continues to face the onslaught of Russian attacks, it’s clear that the international community needs to take a stronger stance against these atrocities. The attack on the Ukrainian prison is just one example of Russia’s disregard for human life and international law.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
