Russian strike kills 11 in Ukraine

A Russian missile strike has killed at least 11 people, including five children in Pokrovsk, Ukraine, according to reports coming from the region.

The alleged Russian attack comes on Orthodox Christmas Eve. Eight people were also injured in the attack and are being treated.

Pokrovsk was a town of just over 61,000 before the war, and is held by Ukraine in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyer Zelensky has claimed the Russians are targeting residential buildings.

Multiple long-range surface-to-air S-300 missiles were used in the strikes, according to local reports. Russia has so far made no comment on claims of its involvement behind the attack.

Pokrovsk is just 43 miles west of Russia-controlled Donetsk city. The alleged Russian strikes come after Ukraine claimed it had “successfully” hit a Russian Air Base in Crimea.

In response to consistent Ukrainian attacks, Russia has already canceled all Orthodox Christmas midnight masses in the city of Belgorod that is near its border with Ukraine.

Kyiv has been striking the city almost daily since a few days forcing Russia to take reactive measures and cancel the festivities. Its deadliest attack on Belgorod was on December 30 where 25 people were killed.