Russia launched missiles at railroad station in central Ukraine, Zelensky tells UN

Ukraine marked its independence day on Wednesday and Zelensky had warned ahead of time that Russia might try to disrupt the celebrations.

 A boy waves a national flag atop of armoured personal carrier at an exhibition of destroyed Russian military vehicles and weapons, dedicated to the upcoming country's Independence Day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the centre of Kyiv, Ukraine August 21, 2022.  (photo credit: REUTERS/VALENTYN OGIRENKO)
A boy waves a national flag atop of armoured personal carrier at an exhibition of destroyed Russian military vehicles and weapons, dedicated to the upcoming country's Independence Day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the centre of Kyiv, Ukraine August 21, 2022.
(photo credit: REUTERS/VALENTYN OGIRENKO)

Russian rockets struck a passenger train in a station in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and wounding 50 more, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

In a video address to the United Nations Security Council, Zelensky said the rockets had hit the train in the small town of Chaplyne, some 145 km (90 miles) west of Donetsk. Four carriages were on fire, he said.

Ukraine marked its independence day on Wednesday and Zelensky had warned ahead of time that Russia might try to disrupt the celebrations.

"Four passenger wagons are now on fire. As of now, at least 15 people have been killed and around 50 people have been wounded," Zelensky said.

"Rescuers are working, but, unfortunately, the death toll could increase."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a joint news briefing with Poland's President Andrzej Duda, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine August 23, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a joint news briefing with Poland's President Andrzej Duda, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine August 23, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi)

Russia has repeatedly denied its forces are aiming at civilian targets. In April, at least 57 people died when Russian missiles hit the train station in the town of Kramatorsk, Ukrainian official said.