This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/russia/574815-donetsk-easter-ukraine-shelling/

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Ukraine shells Donetsk during Easter service Ukraine shells Donetsk during Easter service
(39 minutes later)
At least one person was killed and six injured after missiles fell near an Orthodox cathedralAt least one person was killed and six injured after missiles fell near an Orthodox cathedral
The Ukrainian forces targeted central Donetks with multiple launch rocket system fire early on Sunday morning, with several projectiles landing in close vicinity of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, forcing an evacuation and disrupting the Orthodox Easter celebrations. The Ukrainian forces targeted central Donetsk with multiple launch rocket system fire early on Sunday morning, with several projectiles landing in close vicinity of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, forcing an evacuation and disrupting the Orthodox Easter celebrations.
As many as 20 MLRS rockets were fired towards Donetsk overnight, according to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) monitoring group. As many as 20 MLRS rockets were fired overnight from the direction of Ukraine-held settlement of Ochertenino some 30km northwest of Donetsk, according to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) monitoring group. Several more rounds of shelling from 155mm artillery were reported in the hours after the initial attack, as authorities were dealing with the aftermath and tending to the victims.
The shelling took place around 3:25am, just as dozens of Orthodox Christians were leaving the cathedral following the Easter vigil. The explosions forced several panicked people to drop to the ground, while others including children rushed to seek shelter inside the church, according to videos shared on social media. The attack took place around 3:25am, just as dozens of Orthodox Christians were leaving the cathedral following the Easter vigil. The explosions forced several panicked people to drop to the ground, while others, including children, rushed back inside the church to seek shelter, according to videos shared on social media.
At least one person was killed and five others injured, according to preliminary reports. One of the victims was an assistant deacon who suffered a shrapnel injury to his stomach upon leaving the service, a witness told RT. At least one person was killed and six others injured, according to preliminary reports. One of the victims was an assistant deacon who suffered a shrapnel injury to his stomach upon leaving the service, a witness told RT.
While none of missiles hit the cathedral directly, at least one projectile struck a market less than 100 meters away.While none of missiles hit the cathedral directly, at least one projectile struck a market less than 100 meters away.
“The enemy deliberately attacked the area of the central cathedral on Easter night,” the acting head of Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Denis Pushilin, claimed in a Telegram post. “Scums and savages! Our combat crews are already working to neutralize the bastards.”“The enemy deliberately attacked the area of the central cathedral on Easter night,” the acting head of Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Denis Pushilin, claimed in a Telegram post. “Scums and savages! Our combat crews are already working to neutralize the bastards.”
Several other facilities in the area of the central square were also hit, the official said, icluding a bus station and a kindergarten, which caught fire as a result.Several other facilities in the area of the central square were also hit, the official said, icluding a bus station and a kindergarten, which caught fire as a result.
Pushilin had warned the public, following a deadly attack on the town of Yasinovataya on Friday, to exercise extreme caution while celebrating Easter because “the enemy has intensified the shelling... during the holidays.”Pushilin had warned the public, following a deadly attack on the town of Yasinovataya on Friday, to exercise extreme caution while celebrating Easter because “the enemy has intensified the shelling... during the holidays.”
The capital of the Donetsk People's Republic had suffered numerous Ukrainian attacks after rejecting the 2014 Maidan coup in Kiev, which intensified weeks before Russia launched its military operation in February 2022, and have taken a heavy toll ever since.The capital of the Donetsk People's Republic had suffered numerous Ukrainian attacks after rejecting the 2014 Maidan coup in Kiev, which intensified weeks before Russia launched its military operation in February 2022, and have taken a heavy toll ever since.
Last October, the DPR was incorporated into Russia together with the People’s Republic of Lugansk and Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions, following referendums in which the local populations voted overwhelmingly in favor of the move.Last October, the DPR was incorporated into Russia together with the People’s Republic of Lugansk and Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions, following referendums in which the local populations voted overwhelmingly in favor of the move.