Photo: DAPHNE ROUSSEAU/AFP via Getty
Eight civilians — including two children — have died amid an evacuation of the Ukrainian city of Irpin, according to Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn.
“The shell hit, and in front of my own eyes died two small children and two adults,” Markushyn said in a video, perThe Washington Post. “I want to emphasize these were peaceful residents.”
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Per theTimes, the family that was struck was composed of “a mother, her teenage son and a daughter who appeared to be about 8,” as well as what the outlet described as a “family friend,” among others.
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Irpin, Ukraine.Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu Agency via Getty
Elsewhere in his remarks, Markushyn spoke about the family and other individuals who were killed,The Guardianreported.
“They were just trying to get out of town. To escape. The whole family,” he said. “How many such families have died in Ukraine. We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will punish everyone who committed atrocities in this war.”
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Irpin, Ukraine.ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty
Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, addressed the Russian forces behind the attack in a statement as well, the outlet added.
He said: “There will be no quiet place on this earth for you. Except for the grave.”
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With NATO forces massing in the region around Ukraine, various countries have also pledged aid or military support to the resistance. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, 44, called for peace talks — so far unsuccessful — while urging his country to fight back.
Putin, 69 insists Ukraine has historic ties to Russia and he is acting in the best security interests of his country. Zelenskyy vowed not to bend.
“Nobody is going to break us, we’re strong, we’re Ukrainians,“he told the European Unionin a speech in the early days of the fighting, adding, “Life will win over death. And light will win over darkness.”
source: people.com
