DONETSK REGION, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian glide bomb struck a village in eastern Ukraine while residents waited in line for their pensions, leading to at least 24 casualties and 19 injuries. With the ongoing conflict intensifying, neighboring Poland has raised its military alert status due to fears of further strikes.

At around 11 a.m., the bomb hit Yarova, a village located just miles from the front lines, causing overwhelming destruction. The incident has left residents in shock, recalling the bombings that had previously only struck the outskirts. Hennadii Trush, who lost his wife in the attack, wept as he described fleeing the site with his elderly mother. It was beyond words, he stated.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack regardless of its brutal nature, urging international leaders to react decisively against Russia's continued aggression. Zelenskyy emphasized that the world must not stay silent while innocent lives are lost.

The scene aftermath showed bodies scattered near a mobile post office and highlighted the struggles of elderly residents, who often wait in line for pensions in cash due to limited banking facilities. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the call for a more robust response from the international community grows.

Reports indicate that over 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have died in the three years of fighting, with incidents like this representing the tragic reality of life in conflict zones.