Russian forces have bombed the city center of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, likely with a ballistic missile.

The toll of the bombing was dramatic, at least 5 people died and 37 were injured, the ministry said.

Moscow's army, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, has hit the city's central square, including a theater and a university.

“A Russian missile hit the very center of the city, in our Chernihiv,” Zelensky said on Telegram. «A square, the polytechnic, a theatre. An ordinary Saturday, which Russia has turned into a day of pain and loss. There are dead, there are wounded."

Zelensky then posted a video of the site after the bombing showing debris around a large Soviet-era building, with cars parked around it partially destroyed, roofs shattered and windows blown out.

Russian forces marched through Chernihiv when they invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, from several directions, including Belarus. They were then driven back by the Kiev forces. Since then, northern Ukraine has largely been spared the fierce fighting that has raged to the east and south.

(Unioneonline/L)