At least 23 people are killed, including four children and 64 people are injured by Russian cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea into Ukraine.

Ihor Klymenko, the head of the Ukrainian National Police, claims that at least 23 people have killed in an attack on the town of Vinnystia in the country's centre.

Russian Kalibr cruise missiles fired from submarines stationed in the Black Sea were used in the strike on Thursday, July 14 according to Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

The Operational Command South of the Ukrainian Armed Forces had stated on Monday that the enemy "continues to keep ready 32 cruise missiles of the 'Kalibr' type aboard three surface and two submarine ships, and two massive landing ships are also present" in the Black Sea.

According to Ukraine's State Emergency Service, there are scores of individuals still missing and three children are among the deceased (SES).

According to Ukraine's SES, an additional 64 people, including four children, have been hospitalised; 34 of them are in serious condition, and five of them are in critical condition. The search for 42 people who are still missing is ongoing.

Only six of the dead have so far been recognised, according to Klymenko, who noted that since the attacks also destroyed more than 40 automobiles and more than 50 structures, DNA testing may be needed to identify the remaining bodies.

Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba called the missile incident "terrorism."

"Following a Russian missile attack on Vinnytsia, 20 civilian deaths have already been reported. In the image, there are three kids, including a toddler. There is terrorism here "Tweeted Kuleba.

"murdering civilians on purpose to frighten them. Russia must be legally acknowledged as a state sponsor of terrorism "Added he.

The incident has been denounced by the UN.

A spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, "The Secretary-General condemns any strikes against people or civilian infrastructure and reiterates his appeal for accountability for such crimes."

Josep Borrell, the head of foreign policy for the European Union, and Janez Lenari, the commissioner for crisis management, denounced the strike in a joint statement.

"We have both personally observed the terrible carnage that Russia inflicted on the people of Ukraine. Due to Russia's blatant disrespect for international humanitarian law, the civilian population has continued to bear a heavy burden in this conflict, suffering from murder, violence, including sexual violence, forced deportations, and destruction "they claimed.

They continued, "These atrocities must go unpunished, and all individuals responsible will be held accountable."