Russian troops shell column of civilians evacuating from Mariupol with Grad systems

Today, at about 03:30 p.m., Russian troops shelled a column of civilians evacuating from Mariupol towards Zaporizhzhia with the BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher systems.

The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to the preliminary data, some civilians were killed. Children are reported to have been wounded. Casualty numbers are yet to be updated.

Meanwhile, Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration Head Oleksandr Starukh reported on Telegram: “On March 16, 2022, at about 04:00 p.m., near Stepnohirsk, a column of civilians driving towards Zaporizhzhia was shelled with the enemy heavy artillery”.

According to Starukh, no civilians were killed. Five persons were wounded, including one child injured heavily. The child is now undergoing a difficult surgery.

mk