# Russian Airstrike on Komishuvaja School Shelter Kills Dozens A massive bomb strike on a civilian humanitarian aid point leaves many still missing. - **Source:** [El País – Internacional](https://elpais.com/internacional) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/b8dab7f7-efae-4c32-b239-774238bc7713 ## Devastating Strike on Shelter On November 2, Russian forces launched a brutal aerial attack on a school in Komishuvaja, Zaporiyia. The facility, which served as a designated anti-radiation shelter and humanitarian aid distribution point, was struck by at least nine guided bombs. One of these was a massive three-ton Fab-3000, causing catastrophic structural collapse. ## Ongoing Rescue Operations Eight days after the attack, emergency services have recovered 55 bodies from the debris, with 30 individuals identified so far. Rescue teams continue to excavate the site, searching for 19 people still missing. The operation remains extremely dangerous due to the constant threat of Russian drones targeting the rescue workers themselves. ## Perilous Working Conditions Rescue efforts are severely hampered by persistent Russian drone activity and secondary strikes. Recently, a projectile hit an excavator being used to clear rubble. Police officer Vitali Horetskyi reported that the seven-meter-deep underground shelter was filled with dense smoke and intense heat, making initial entry attempts nearly impossible for the first responders. ## Forensic Identification Process The Zaporiyia police forensic department is working tirelessly to identify victims from the site. Because many remains are severely burned or destroyed, officials are collecting saliva samples from relatives to perform DNA matching. So far, they have successfully identified five of the deceased through this rigorous and emotionally taxing scientific process. ## Historical Context of Attacks If all missing persons are confirmed dead, this incident would rank among the deadliest Russian attacks on civilians since the 2022 Mariupol theater bombing. Similar to the Kramatorsk train station strike, this event highlights the extreme vulnerability of civilians gathering in public spaces, even those designated as safe zones for aid. ## Tactical Drone Threat The region remains under constant surveillance and attack by Russian drones, complicating access for the remaining 400 residents. Local commanders note that while the front line has remained relatively static, the intensity of guided bomb and drone strikes against civilian-populated areas has increased significantly, creating a climate of perpetual fear and danger. ## Allegations of Targeted Violence Mayor Yuri Karapetian rejects Russian claims that the school served as a military barracks. He asserts that the strike was a cynical attack on civilians gathering for bread and hygiene supplies. The mayor personally lost his wife, Natalia, who was responsible for coordinating the humanitarian aid distribution at the school site. ## Impact on Local Survival The destruction of the school has left the community without essential services, including medical care. Residents like Inna, who survived the initial blast, now face a precarious future as local infrastructure lies in ruins. With the loss of their doctor and aid center, the remaining population struggles to survive under constant fire. ## Sources covering this story - https://elpais.com/internacional/2026-11-11/ucrania-busca-bajo-los-drones-rusos-a-los-desaparecidos-en-los-escombros-de-la-escuela-de-komishuvaja.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._