Bodies of at least 42 people recovered from rubble of school destroyed by Russian strike in Komyshuvakha

The Zaporizhzhia Oblast Police reported that the bodies of 42 people have been recovered from the rubble in the village of Komyshuvakha on the fourth day of search and rescue operations. Another 33 people may still be trapped under the rubble.

Law enforcement officials reported that search and rescue operations at the site of the destroyed school are continuing.

Experts from the Missing Persons Search Centre are continuing to identify the bodies, as many of the people cannot be identified visually. Biological samples are being collected from relatives to establish DNA profiles and conduct comparative forensic examinations.

To provide background, Russian forces launched a large-scale attack on the settlement of Komyshuvakha using guided aerial bombs on the morning of 2 November 2026. The Russians dropped at least nine bombs, including three-tonne FAB-3000 bombs, on a local school that was being used as a humanitarian aid distribution point.

When emergency services arrived at the scene following the first strike, Russians struck again. Those killed included civilians, four police officers and two rescue workers.

Meanwhile, the UN stated last month that civilian casualties in Ukraine had reached a “record level”, as Moscow resumed systematic attacks on energy infrastructure.

Under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian objects are protected from attack. Intentional strikes on civilians, including those receiving humanitarian aid, can constitute war crimes.

Related: Russian drone strike on Dnipro railway station kills 14 and injures 13

To provide background, previously, US president Donald Trump assisted Russia in enforcing its war economy by suspending tariffs and sanctions against the largest buyers of Russian oil. The measures were provided under the Lindsey Graham Act, which he signed in September.

Russia shipped 3.55 million barrels a day of crude in the four weeks to 25 October, with a rebound in cargoes leaving the Baltic port of Primorsk. Photographer: Marcelo del Pozo/Bloomberg

Bloomberg reported, citing ship tracking data and calculations based on oil prices, that in the week ending 25 October 2026, the value of Russian oil exports by sea reached $2.76 billion, the highest since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine. Russiaʼs revenue rose by about $430 million over the week. Urals prices rose, offsetting higher supplies and the eighth consecutive week of rising ESPO prices.

Related: US firms account for over 75% of parts in examined Geran-4 controller

Human rights organisations and Ukrainian authorities emphasise that structural economic pressure remains a key tool to halt such atrocities. They urge every nation and individual government worldwide to strictly enforce global sanctions, close existing regulatory loopholes, and completely sever remaining commercial and technological ties with the Russian Federation. Civil society groups stress that any continued cooperation by foreign businesses directly contributes to the resources Moscow uses to sustain its ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

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