On September 9, 2025, a Russian airstrike targeted a pension distribution point in the village of Yarova, located in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region. The attack resulted in the deaths of 24 civilians and injured 18 others. The victims, primarily elderly residents, were gathered to collect their monthly pensions, as the village lacks banking infrastructure. The strike occurred around 11 a.m., igniting fires and causing widespread devastation in the town center.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, describing it as a deliberate targeting of civilians. He called for stronger international sanctions against Russia and emphasized the need for a decisive response from the global community. The strike took place approximately 24 kilometers from Sloviansk, a Ukrainian stronghold, and several kilometers behind the front line. President Zelenskyy shared video footage showing bodies strewn across the ground and debris, highlighting the severity of the assault.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that DNA tests were being used to identify some of the victims. He added that 18 people were wounded in the attack. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of civilians in conflict zones and the targeting of non-military infrastructure. Russia has not commented on the attack but routinely denies targeting civilians.
This airstrike is part of an escalating trend of Russian aerial assaults on civilian areas, despite international attempts to broker peace. The attack follows another recent Russian strike that killed two humanitarian workers in northern Ukraine, prompting further international outrage. European Council President Antonio Costa questioned Russia’s sincerity in seeking peace and criticized the continued loss of civilian life.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with calls for increased pressure on Russia to cease attacks on civilian targets. The Ukrainian government has vowed to hold those responsible accountable and is seeking support from global allies to address the ongoing conflict and protect its citizens.
