Zelenksy slams Russian strikes on Ukraine culture centre

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky On Friday condemned Russian airstrikes that destroyed a recently redeveloped cultural center in eastern Ukraine and injured seven people, including a child.

Zelensky said on social media that Russian strikes had targeted “the newly-renovated House of Culture” in the town of Lozova, in Kharkiv’s eastern region.

A video of the attack distributed by Zelensky showed black smoke enveloping a large building near residential complexes and passing cars after a large explosion sent debris flying in all directions.

“The occupiers have identified culture, education, and humanity as their enemies. And they do not spare missiles or bombs,” Zelensky wrote on social media, describing the attack as “absolute evil” and “absolute stupidity”.

Viktor Zabashta, a local health official, told the Interfax-Ukraine news agency that seven people had been wounded in the attack. “No-one has died yet,” he added.

Since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Russia has been accused of repeatedly targeting civilian infrastructure. Several cities have been destroyed as a result of the conflict.

Mariupol in the south has been nearly completely destroyed. In March, Moscow’s forces were accused of bombing a theatre in the southern port city, killing hundreds of civilians who were sheltering there.