Russia hit Taras Shevchenko Theatre in the attack on Chernihiv city center

In the attack on August 19, 2023, Russian terrorists hit Taras Shevchenko Chernihiv Theatre. 7 people were killed in the attack. 129 were injured, including 15 children, reported the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

Update from August 20: the number of casualties increased. Seven people died, 156 people were injured reported Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Established in 1926, the theater is among Ukraine’s oldest and most prominent regional theatres. Nearby buildings in the Chernihiv historical center were also damaged.

“This is what a neighborhood with a terrorist state is, this is what we unite the whole world against,” wrote President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “An ordinary Saturday, which Russia turned into a day of pain and loss”.

Ihor Klymenko, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, said that people attending the event in the drama theater went down to the shelter in time as police officers tried to take everyone to do so after the air raid alert went off. Most of the attack’s casualties were people in cars, those crossing the road nearby, and people returning from church service.

For Ukrainians, the day was supposed to be a holiday — traditionally, Ukrainians celebrate the Apple Feast of the Saviour and attend church. Chernihiv citizens were also going to church when Russia brutally attacked the city.