Massacre at the market: Moment Russian artillery obliterates shops, killing at least 16 people and wounding 28 in Ukraine

Russian shelling of a packed market in the Ukrainian town of Kostiantynivka this afternoon has killed at least 16 people and wounded more at least 28, according to Ukrainian officials.

The attack, which targeted the ‘Mercury’ shopping centre in the town in Donetsk, whipped up an inferno which tore through market stalls and destroyed several cars. 

Shocking footage of the incident shared by locals on Telegram showed terrified residents sprinting from the scene as orange flames raged in the background, trailing thick black smoke. 

Internal Minister Ihor Klymenko said emergency service workers have now extinguished the fire, but not before it damaged more than 30 pavilions at the market. 

Twenty shops, power lines, an administrative building and the floor of an apartment building were damaged, according to the prosecutor general’s office, as rescue workers continue to pick through the rubble in a search for more survivors.

In a short statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow’s military was targeting ‘people who did nothing wrong’ and warned the death toll was likely to increase.

‘This Russian evil must be defeated as soon as possible,’ Zelensky added. 

Konstianynivka is located a mere six miles from the city of Bakhmut, which has long been the epicentre of some of the war’s bloodiest and most hard fought battles.  

Flames rise and people run during an attack on the city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine, September 6, 2023

View of a vehicle on fire following an attack on the city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine, September 6, 2023

Emergency services work following an attack on the city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine, September 6, 2023