At least 13 people were killed and 18 others wounded in Russian shelling in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporozhye, local authorities said.
“The Russians cynically attacked the city in the middle of the day,” regional head Ivan Fedorov said, adding that two guided aerial bombs hit residential buildings.
Footage has emerged showing a tall building on fire and several cars in flames.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on allies to put pressure on Russia “for its terror”. The Russian military has not commented. President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In a video message from outside the site of the bombing, Fedorov said the Russian shelling began around 4:00 p.m. local time (14:00 GMT) on Wednesday.
He said two guided bombs hit residential buildings. He previously said “industrial infrastructure” was targeted.
Graphic images posted online showed first responders treating victims by the side of the road, several burning vehicles and a stalled tram with broken windows.
One video shows at least two vans with their windows blown out and what appear to be victims lying in the rubble and debris on the road.
Zaporozhye is located near the front line.
In a statement later on Wednesday, President Zelensky said “there is nothing more cruel than dropping aerial bombs on a city, knowing that ordinary civilians will suffer.”
And calling on Ukraine's allies for more support, he said “only through force can such a war be ended with lasting peace.”
On Thursday, a day of mourning will be declared in the Zaporozhye region.