The aftermath of the attack in Kherson. Photo: National Police
The attack on Kherson took place during a minute of silence. The Russian forces targeted the central market, which is typically crowded in the morning. The editor-in-chief of The Bridge newspaper, Serhiy Nikitenko, informed Hromadske Radio about the tragic event.
«It was exactly 9 a.m., during a minute of silence, when the strike occurred. The building hit was located at a public transport stop in the central market, one of the busiest areas in the city, especially during the morning hours», — Nikitenko said.
The market, which operates from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., sees its highest foot traffic during the morning.
Nikitenko explained that the attack was carried out using a tank shell, highlighting the short distance between Russian positions and the city center. Due to this proximity, experienced Kherson residents can often detect the launch of artillery, but in this instance, witnesses heard the impact first.
«The distance between the Russians and the city center is only about 5 to 7 kilometers. Usually, the sound of outgoing artillery is audible, but in this case, witnesses believe it was a tank shell because they only heard the impact», — Nikitenko added.
The attack caused over ten injuries, according to initial reports from survivors at the scene.
Earlier that morning, on 1 October, Russian troops shelled Kherson’s city center, resulting in fatalities and injuries. The Kherson Regional Military Administration was the first to report the attack:
«The occupiers struck a market in the heart of Kherson, where residents were buying or selling goods.»
The Kherson Regional Prosecutor’s Office later confirmed that six people were killed, and a seventh person, initially presumed dead, was stabilized but remains in critical condition. A pre-trial investigation has been launched under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, addressing violations of the laws and customs of war.
By 11:26 a.m., twelve people were confirmed injured, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration.
On the same day, Russian forces also attacked residential areas in Zaporizhzhia. Ivan Fedorov, the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, reported that one person was killed and six others were wounded as a result of the shelling. Information on the extent of the damage and the condition of those injured is still being updated.