In the latest flare-up of hostilities in southeastern Ukraine, a Russian aerial attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 13 lives, with an additional 18 individuals sustaining injuries.

The attack, occurring shortly before 4 p.m. local time, saw occupiers target the city with glide bombs, reports Reuters.

The scene of devastation was widespread, with bodies discovered scattered across roads and sidewalks, and the wreckage of public transport vehicles littering the vicinity.

Residential buildings, an industrial facility, and other infrastructure also suffered damage, says Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office via Telegram.

The shrapnel from the bombing struck both a tram and a bus, with passengers aboard at the time of the attack.

Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov confirmed that at least four of the injured were in a critical condition, having been rushed to hospital.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a message posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), condemned the attack, saying, 'There is no cruelty greater than dropping glide bombs on a city while knowing that innocent civilians will suffer.' He urged Ukraine's Western allies to intensify pressure on Russia.

Regional authorities have reported that the initial strike was followed by additional explosions, with the potential for the casualty count to increase.

The precision of glide bombs, typically accurate weapons, suggests the attack was a deliberate attempt to target civilians.

The Zaporizhzhia region, partially under Russian control, is no stranger to regular airstrikes—a grim facet of Russia's tactical operations in both this and the Kyiv regions.

Moscow maintains that it has annexed the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia along with four others, including Crimea.

This tragic event underscores the brutal reality of the ongoing conflict, as both military and civilian targets continue to be embroiled in the relentless crossfire.