A Russian airstrike on September 9, 2025, devastated Yarova, a village in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, killing 24 elderly people collecting pensions and injuring 19 others.
The brutal attack has intensified calls for global action to end the ongoing war.
Deadly Attack on Civilians
At 11 a.m., a Russian glide bomb struck a pension distribution point in Yarova, 15 miles from Sloviansk, a Ukrainian stronghold.
The strike instantly killed elderly residents waiting for their payments. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack “cruel,” sharing images of bodies scattered amid debris.
Regional officials confirmed all victims were elderly. Rescue teams searched through rubble, finding items like an unanswered ringing phone.
Zelenskyy’s Urgent Appeal
Zelenskyy urged the United States, Europe, and the G20 to respond, stating, “The world must not stay silent.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it a “heinous crime,” demanding global condemnation.
The attack follows a pattern, with two aid workers killed in northern Ukraine recently, despite Russia’s denials of targeting civilians.
War’s Ongoing Toll
Now in its fourth year since Russia’s 2022 invasion, the war has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.
Russia’s push in Donetsk continues as peace talks falter. A 65-year-old local, Vasyl Nehoduyko, said a drone was spotted before the strike, suggesting it was planned.
He noted only elderly residents remained in Yarova, a village of about 1,900 before the war.
Local Impact and Response
Ukraine’s postal service, Ukrposhta, reported a damaged vehicle and an injured worker, planning safer pension delivery methods.
Authorities are investigating the strike as a war crime, adding to Ukraine’s worsening humanitarian crisis as civilian areas face relentless attacks.
What’s Next
Zelenskyy’s plea highlights the need for stronger global pressure on Russia. The Yarova attack underscores the war’s devastating impact on civilians, urging immediate action to protect lives and push for peace.
