A Russian aerial bomb struck the rural Ukrainian village of Yarova earlier today, killing at least 21 civilians and injuring many, as they were gathered to receive pension payments.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the airstrike as brutally savage and pure terrorism, saying it targeted ordinary people.

In a video shared by Zelensky the aftermath of the attack showed a number of lifeless bodies in civilian clothing lying on the ground, some of whom appeared to be older adults.

Remnants of a van, believed to be a mobile branch of the postal service, were also visible in the footage.

The head of the Donetsk regional military administration, Vadym Filashkin, confirmed the death toll and said rescue workers and medics were on the scene.

The village of Yarova had a population of around 2,800 people before the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.

It was occupied by Russian forces in June 2022 before being reclaimed by Ukrainian forces later that year.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called for a strong international response and further sanctions against Russia, stating that Russian propaganda claims to be saving people in the region, but in reality, is dropping massive air bombs on people who came to receive pensions.