The press service of the Ministry of Emergencies in Russia reported that the bodies of twenty people were recovered from the rubble in Lisichansk following shelling by Ukrainian forces. The claim was disseminated by RIA News and echoed by other state outlets, underscoring the ongoing danger faced by rescue teams on the ground.
Officials stressed that rescue crews continued debris clearance and search operations despite the looming threat of a renewed strike, highlighting the personal risk involved in every rescue attempt.
Earlier reports indicated the presence of liberators and representatives from the Lugansk People’s Republic administration, who stated that cleaning efforts around a bakery in Lisichansk, which had been destroyed by shelling, persisted through the night. The tone suggested a coordinated effort to recover those believed to be buried in the rubble.
Four individuals who died in the Ukrainian assault on the Lisichansk bakery were reported to be transported to a Lugansk hospital for examination and possible treatment, according to official channels.
Military investigators had previously identified the weapons used by Ukrainian forces to strike the bakery in the LPR region. It was reported that Ukrainian units conducted the attack using a multiple launch rocket system, results that were presented by investigators reviewing the incident after it occurred.
The bakery was struck around 14:20 on a Saturday, with reports indicating that as many as dozens of civilians might have been trapped beneath the debris. Emergency service workers and command staff continued to work at the scene, attempting to pull civilians to safety while the situation remained volatile and uncertain.
In separate remarks, President Zelensky indicated a policy stance aimed at preventing the escalation of hostilities beyond Ukrainian borders, a claim that has been part of the broader narrative surrounding the conflict and its regional implications.