Kyiv: Ukraine announced on Tuesday that a Russian strike on a penal colony in the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia resulted in the deaths of at least 16 individuals, with an additional 44 sustaining injuries.

According to Anadolu Agency, a statement from the Ukrainian Justice Ministry detailed the aftermath of the strike, highlighting that 16 convicts lost their lives, while 44 others were injured and subsequently hospitalized. The incident, which involved four guided aerial bombs, caused significant damage to the Bilenkivska Correctional Facility's headquarters, quarantine station, and dining room. An earlier report from the ministry had initially cited 17 fatalities and 42 injuries, but these figures were later revised.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack on X, labeling it a "deliberate strike" and emphasizing its targeted nature. He criticized Moscow's continued aggression, asserting that Russia's actions warranted stringent sanctions. President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards US President Donald Trump and other global leaders for their efforts to support Ukraine and exert pressure on Russia, maintaining that peace could only be achieved once Russia ceased its hostilities.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the allegations, asserting during a press briefing that the Russian military does not target civilian sites and focuses solely on military infrastructure. The tension was further underscored by President Trump's recent ultimatum to Russia, threatening sanctions if the conflict did not conclude within a specified timeframe. Peskov acknowledged the US president's statements, indicating that Moscow was aware of them.