Massacre at the market: Moment Russian artillery obliterates shops, killing at least 16 people and wounding 20 in Ukraine

At least 16 people were killed and more than 20 injured in Russian shelling at a crowded market in the Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka this afternoon, the Ukrainian prime minister said.

The attack, which targeted the ‘Mercury’ shopping center in the city of Donetsk, sparked an inferno that ripped through market stalls and destroyed several cars.

Shocking footage of the incident, shared by locals on Telegram, showed terrified residents leaving the scene as orange flames raged in the background, billowing thick black smoke.

In a brief statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow’s military was targeting “people who have done nothing wrong” and warned that the death toll is likely to rise as rescuers battle to evacuate the scene and douse the flames.

“This Russian evil must be defeated as soon as possible,” Zelensky added.

Konstianynivka is only ten kilometers from the town of Bakhmut, which has long been the epicenter of some of the war’s bloodiest and hardest-fought battles.

View of a vehicle on fire after an attack on the town of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine, September 6, 2023

Emergency services work after an attack on the city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine, September 6, 2023