The SSU has immediately launched an investigation into the missile attack on civilian targets in Odesa region – SSU investigators are already working at the scene of the war crime. This was announced by the Head of the SSU Ivan Bakanov.

Criminal proceedings have been opened under Article 438.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of laws and customs of war).

The aggressor state carried out the strike at night from Tu-22 strategic aircraft - the enemy hit a nine-story residential building and two recreation centers in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district with three Kh-22 (X-22) missiles.

At least 19 people have been confirmed dead, including two children. 38 people have been hospitalized, including six children and a pregnant woman. One child, who was pulled out from under the rubble, is in a coma. Another 8 sought medical care. 8 people were rescued from under the debris.

The entire entrance to the building with flats above it was completely destroyed. Rescue operations are ongoing.

‘The occupiers cannot win on the battlefield, so they resort to vile killing of civilians. After the enemy was ‘knocked out’ from Snake Island, they decided to respond with a cynical shelling of civilian targets. In this way, russia once again confirmed its status of a terrorist state. For russia, a holiday base is the same target as a military base. russia’s goal is literal destruction of Ukraine and our citizens. But we will make every effort to ensure that all those involved in this egregious war crime receive the most severe punishment - we will identify not only those who fired the shots, but also the ones who gave the order,’ the SSU Head Ivan Bakanov stated.

The Security Service of Ukraine expresses its condolences to relatives and friends of the victims and, along with the whole country, prays for recovery of the wounded.