23 dead in sickening Russian strike on civilian convoy rescuing families in ‘annexed’ Ukraine hours before Putin speech

AT least 23 people have been killed after a sickening Russian missile strike wiped out a civilian convoy rescuing families in “annexed” Ukraine. The horror attack in Zaporizhzhia comes just hours before Vladimir Putin is set to declare four regions of Ukraine part of Russia in an escalation of his shambolic seven-month war. TwitterImages showed burned out vehicles and bodies lying on the ground in Zaporizhzhia[/caption] TwitterThe convoy had planned to travel into Russian-occupied territory to pick up relatives and take them to safety[/caption] ReutersA Kremlin proxy official in the region denied the Russian army was behind the attack[/caption] Images showed burned out vehicles and bodies lying on the ground at the city’s sprawling Orekhovo car market after the missile strike. Oleksandr Starukh, Zaporizhzhia’s regional governor, said: “The enemy launched a rocket attack on the outskirts of the regional centre. “So far, 23 dead and 28 wounded. All civilians.” Starukh said the convoy had planned to travel into Russian-occupied territory to pick up their relatives and take them to safety. Read more on the Ukraine war LAND GRAB Putin to seize annexed land from Ukraine as UN warns of 'dangerous escalation' INSATIABLE DESPOT Putin declares two parts of Ukraine are 'independent' after sham vote The missile left a massive crater in the ground near the two rows of vehicles, with the windows of cars and vans blown out after being sprayed by shrapnel from the impact of the strike. The vehicles were packed with belongings, blankets and suitcases. Plastic sheets were seen draped over the bodies of a woman and young man in a green car, while two other people were found dead in their white van with its windows blown out. A Kremlin proxy official in the region denied the Russian army was behind the attack – and blamed Ukraine. Most read in News 'HEARTBROKEN' Tributes to 'beautiful' woman, 21, who died 'accidentally' inside hotel room MURDER ARREST Man, 34, arrested on suspicion of murder after Olivia, 9, gunned down at home BABY 'ATTACKED' Baby girl left fighting for life after nursery 'assault' as woman arrested MOSCOW MYSTERY Putin critic 'commits suicide' in 9th suspicious death of exec linked to war REST IN PEACE Queen cause of death revealed as old age after officials release certificate STORM TRAGEDY Hundreds feared dead after Hurricane Ian hits Florida, sheriff says The deadly missile attack comes as Mad Vlad is set to declare four regions of Ukraine part of Russia after a sham gunpoint referendum vote. The regions include areas in Zaporizhzhia – but not the city itself – which remains under Ukrainian control. The Russian leader will also claim victory in the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, and Kherson. The four regions cover some 90,000sq km, or about 15 per cent of Ukraine’s total area – roughly the size of Hungary or Portugal. A huge rally is being prepared in Moscow’s Red Square as Putin prepares to declare the annexation with a major speech on Friday. Billboards have appeared in Moscow declaring: “Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson – Russia!” Putin is set to meet leaders of the Russian-backed Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic as well as Russian-installed leaders of the parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia that his forces occupy. On Wednesday, pro-Kremlin officials said all four regions – which represent around 15 per cent of Ukraine’s overall territory – had voted to join Russia. Footage emerged of voters being led to the ballot boxes at gunpoint by pro-Russian paramilitary groups, while election officials were seen appearing to count stacks of unmarked ballot papers as ‘Yes’ votes. Other video shows Russian-installed thugs taking ballot boxes door-to-door surrounded by armed men. Putin’s cronies claimed 99 per cent of ballots cast in Donetsk were in favour of joining Russia, 98 per cent in Luhansk, 93 per cent in Zaporizhzhia and 87 per cent in Kherson. The referendums have been declared illegal by the majority of the international community. UN chief Antonio Guterres said it was a “dangerous escalation” that would damage future prospects for peace. US President Joe Biden said the US would never recognise Russia’s claims on Ukraine’s territory. “The results were manufactured in Moscow,” Biden said. The US and the EU are set to impose more sanctions on Russia over the annexation, and even some of Russia’s allies, such as Serbia and Kazakhstan, have said they will not recognise the take over. In a response to the sham referendums, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called an emergency meeting on Friday of his National Security and Defense Council. “It can still be stopped. But to stop it we have to stop that person in Russia who wants war more than life. Your lives, citizens of Russia,” he said in a Thursday evening address to the nation. Ukraine has vowed to take back its territory. Mikhailo Podolyak, Zelensky’s adviser, told La Repubblica: “Referendums have no legal value, under international law the regions are and remain territories of Ukraine and Ukraine is ready to do anything to take them back. “They were sham votes, in which few people participated. “To those who went to vote they pointed their rifles in their faces.” Read More on The Sun bear hug I did a Primark haul & got an absolute must-buy - it’s perfect for chilly days BOMBSHELL BOD Love Island star shows off incredible body transformation after villa It comes as thousands of men have fled Russia to avoid Mad Vlad’s mass mobilisation of troops to the frontline in Ukraine. The call-up was billed as enlisting men with military experience and required specialities – but it has often appeared oblivious to service record, health, or even age, with images emerging of Putin’s “Dad’s Army” lining up for war.