Russian airstrike on Ukrainian prison leaves 17 dead and over 80 injured

A Russian airstrike on a prison in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region has killed at least 17 people and wounded more than 80 others. Four guided aerial bombs hit the Bilenkivska Correctional Colony in the southeastern province, according to the State Criminal Executive Service of Ukraine. At least 42 inmates were taken to hospital with serious injuries and another 40 people, including one staff member with a 'facial fracture', sustained other injuries. The prison dining hall was destroyed and administrative buildings damaged but the fence was unaffected and there were no prisoner escapes, authorities said.

In a separate attack in the Dnipro city of Kamianske, two people died and five were injured in a strike on a medical facility. One of the injured was a pregnant woman, who regional chief Serhii Lysak said is in a serious condition. Another hit on the Velykomykhailivska district killed a 75-year-old woman and 68-year-old man, Mr Lysak added. The attacks were conducted using two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 37 Shahed-style drones, and a decoy unmanned aerial vehicle, according to Ukraine's Air Force. Thirty-two of the drones were intercepted by Ukrainian air defences, the air force added.

Ukrainian officials condemned the airstrike, with a statement saying: 'This incident is yet another confirmation of the gross violation of international humanitarian law by the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Bombardment of civilian infrastructure, in particular penitentiary institutions, is considered a war crime.' Russian authorities have not commented.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the latest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

According to the source: Sky News.