Russia strikes Komyshuva gymnasium twice, killing at least 55
Russian forces struck the Dzherelo gymnasium in Komyshuva, Zaporizhzhia region, with two guided bombs at 09:45 on November 2, then hit its underground shelter about an hour later. At least 55 people were killed, including police officers and emergency responders who had arrived to help. Search and rescue operations continue.
Key points
- Two Russian guided bombs hit the Dzherelo gymnasium in Komyshuva at 09:45 on November 2
- Russia dropped an additional FAB-3000 bomb on the underground shelter about an hour later
- The second strike hit a shelter housing local residents, a resilience point, police officers and rescuers
- At least 55 bodies have been recovered at the scene
- 30 victims have been identified
- About 19 people may still be trapped under the rubble
- Ukrainian military intelligence established those responsible for the strike
Why it matters
The second strike killed civilians, police officers and rescuers who had gathered in an underground shelter after the first attack. Recordings from body-worn cameras of the slain police officers have become important evidence in the investigation. Komyshuva had already lost almost all its residents before the attack.
What happened
At 09:45 on November 2, two Russian guided bombs struck the Dzherelo gymnasium in Komyshuva, Zaporizhzhia region, destroying its sports hall and utility building. About an hour later, Russia dropped an FAB-3000 bomb weighing around 2.7 tonnes onto the gymnasium's underground premises, where a resilience point and a shelter for local residents were located. According to reported accounts, the second attack came after rescuers had arrived and people had been evacuated to the shelter. Investigators have found evidence of a so-called double-strike tactic in an CNN study published by Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs, while Ukrainian military intelligence identified those responsible for the attack. At least 55 bodies have been recovered and 30 victims have been identified. Search and rescue teams are clearing debris and examining destroyed structures despite the risk of further strikes.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian sources emphasize the reported use of a double-strike tactic, the deaths of police officers and rescuers, the destruction of the school and the continuing search and rescue efforts. They also highlight the evacuation of residents into the shelter and the consequences of the attack on the civilian population.
Background
Before the war, about 5,000 people lived in Komyshuva. After the war began, roughly 200 residents, mostly elderly, remained in the settlement.