ISTANBUL

The death toll from Ukraine's shelling of a bakery in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region has risen to 28, Moscow said Sunday.

“In Lysychansk, the search and rescue operation continues at the site of the collapse of the bakery building … 28 people, including one child, died,” said a statement by Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry on Telegram.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Saturday's shelling as a “terrorist attack” by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Kyiv has not yet commented on Moscow’s claims and independent verification of Russia’s claims is difficult due to the ongoing war. Russia took control of Lysychansk in July 2022.

Earlier, Russia said it recovered the bodies of 20 people from the rubble, while 15 people were rescued.

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged accusations over airstrikes against each other that have intensified since late December.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​