Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states at the Konstantin Palace presidential residence in Strelna, outside Saint Petersburg, on October 7, 2022. (Photo by Alexey DANICHEV / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by ALEXEY DANICHEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian officials reported casualties in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia early on Monday after a Russian missile strike destroyed an apartment block.

In a Telegram post, Oleksandr Starukh, head of the Zaporizhzhia regional military administration said: "Another multi-story residential building was destroyed as a result of a rocket attack in the center of Zaporizhzhia."

"There are some casualties," he added. "Rescuers, medics, and all corresponding services are working at the scene of the tragedy. All necessary assistance is being provided to the victims."

Some context: Dozens of people have been killed and wounded in Russian missile attacks on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia over the past week. The city is not far from the front line, and the site of a nuclear power plant that the international community is watching warily.

Part of the wider region is occupied by Russian forces and last week Russian President Vladimir Putin signed measures to annex four areas of Ukraine, including Zaporizhzhia, in violation of international law.

Moscow denies that it has deliberately attacked civilians.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 23: While being questioned by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill March 23, 2022 in Washington, DC. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden's pick to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court, would become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court if confirmed. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)