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The Russian military has shelled a mosque sheltering more than 80 people in the city of Mariupol, Ukraine’s government has said.
“The mosque of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife Roxolana (Hurrem Sultan) in Mariupol was shelled by Russian invaders,” it said in a tweet.
“More than 80 adults and children are hiding there from the shelling, including citizens of Turkey.”
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An explosion is seen in a residential apartment block in Mariupol. Pic: AP
It did not say if there were any people killed or wounded.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Turkey said a group of 86 Turkish nationals, including 34 children, were among the people who had sought safety in the mosque.
Moscow has denied targeting civilian areas in what it calls a special military operation in Ukraine.
Ukraine has accused Russia of refusing to allow people out of Mariupol, where a blockade has left hundreds of thousands trapped.
Russia blames Ukraine for the failure to evacuate people.
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Melitopol residents protest mayor’s ‘kidnap’
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy also accused Russia of kidnapping the mayor of Melitopol, a port city in the south of Ukraine.
He described the abduction “a new stage of terror”.
US officials had warned before the invasion of Russian plans to detain and kill targeted people in Ukraine.
Mr Zelenskyy himself is believed to be on that list.
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