Russia's Foreign Ministry has condemned the recent shelling of the city of Donetsk by Ukrainian forces using a Tochka-U tactical ballistic missile, describing this act as a crime against humanity.
The ministry offered condolences to relatives of those killed in this attack and expressed confidence that "this crime against humanity will not go unpunished."
The ministry also suggested that, by using such weaponry against innocent civilians, Kiev is trying to take revenge for its defeats amid the ongoing special military operation conducted by Russia in Ukraine.
Earlier on Monday, a Tochka-U missile was launched at Donetsk from areas controlled by Ukrainian forces, Russian Ministry of Defence said.
The resulting explosion killed 20 civilians, with 28 more, including children, being injured.
In February, Russia formally recognised the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR respectively) and launched a military operation in Ukraine after DPR and LPR authorities asked for assistance to defend themselves from attacks by Ukrainian troops.
The goal of this operation, the Russian government declared, is to neutralise Ukraine's military capacity, with precision strikes being carried out against the Ukrainian military infrastructure.