Shelling in Donetsk in Ukraine sparks market fire

The firefighters were extinguishing residual burning at "Mayak" ("Lighthouse") market in Donetsk on Monday (December 12) was hit by shelling the evening before.

According to the Russia-installed authorities of self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, the market was hit by a Ukrainian multiple rocket launcher.

A security guard who refused to give his name said that many small shops and pavilions were destroyed by the shelling. The shelling happens now and then, he added, but not as strong as the latest one.

The local Russia-installed authorities claim that the site repeatedly came under artillery strikes as firefighters were still at work. There were no reports of casualties or injuries.

Since 2014, Donetsk has been under the control of Russian-backed separatists, who have accused Ukraine of shelling and targeting civilian infrastructure.

In September 2022, Moscow proclaimed the area part of Russia after holding referendums in Donetsk and three other regions - votes denounced by Kyiv and Western governments as illegal and coercive.