Ukrainian authorities say a Russian aerial bomb struck the settlement of Yarova, Donetsk region, on Tuesday 9 September, hitting civilians gathered to collect state pensions.

The State Emergency Service reported at least 24 people killed and 19 injured. The incident occurred during a scheduled cash payout in the village, which lies close to the front line.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strike took place “at the very moment when pensions were being disbursed”, calling for stronger international measures against Russia. His office and regional officials initially reported more than 20 fatalities before the casualty count rose through the day.

Donetsk regional head Vadym Filashkin’s first update shortly after midday reported at least 21 dead and 21 wounded. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko later said 23 people had been killed and 18 injured, adding that police had begun identifications using a mobile ANDE DNA laboratory and set up a help desk for relatives. He said police “White Angels” units carried out evacuations from Yarova following the attack.

The State Emergency Service’s evening update raised the toll to 24 dead and 19 injured. Emergency crews reported extinguishing a fire caused by the blast and transferring wounded people from stabilisation points to hospitals. Rescue work at the scene involved firefighters, medics and police.

Ukrposhta, the national postal operator that delivers pensions in frontline areas without functioning banking, said one of its employees was wounded. Igor Smilianskyi, the company’s head, identified the injured staff member as the local branch chief and said she received rapid first aid from a company driver before being taken to hospital. He said payout procedures in frontline zones had been agreed with authorities to balance access to services with safety measures.

According to local reporting, the postal vehicle had been parked under trees to reduce visibility. Smilianskyi suggested operational security protocols had been followed but alleged that the location may have been disclosed. These details could not be independently verified.

Ukrainian officials said evacuations from Yarova continued after the strike. Klymenko reported requests from residents to leave and said police teams evacuated at least eight people, including a seven-year-old girl, with a total of 22 evacuated from the area on 9 September. Some of the wounded were moved to hospitals in Sloviansk.

Village Yarova lies roughly seven to eight kilometres from the current front line. The village was occupied by Russian forces in 2022 and later retaken by Ukraine, according to previous official accounts and international reporting. Its proximity to the front has left remaining residents reliant on mobile services and cash deliveries for pensions and benefits.

Ukrainian law enforcement opened proceedings following the attack. International outlets reported that investigators are treating the incident as a war crime, consistent with previous cases involving strikes on civilian gatherings. Kyiv has called for additional sanctions and diplomatic measures in response.

The strike comes amid sustained use of guided aerial bombs by Russian forces against targets in eastern Ukraine. Such munitions, released from outside many air-defence envelopes, have been used frequently along the Donetsk front. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly urged allies to expand air defences and impose further restrictions on Russia’s ability to source components and finance its war effort.

Local authorities asked relatives of the missing to contact police liaison points established after the incident. Identification of the deceased is under way, with results to be confirmed by the Interior Ministry and the State Emergency Service.