A supermarket in the Ukrainian town of Kostyantynivka has been hit by a Russian missile, causing massive damage and starting a huge fire.

The Regional Military Administration says at least 37 people have been injured, one of whom is in a serious condition, and 12 have been killed. Ukrainian officials say that around 50 people were in the supermarket when a Russian jet fired a missile into it.

Images from the scene show banks of thick black smoke pouring out of the building, as well as flames spreading through what remains of the store.

People can be seen running towards the supermarket as they desperately search for survivors amid the ruins and debris. A fire engine was also photographed at the scene.

The head of the military administration, Vadim Filashkin, called the attack “an act of terror”, accusing the Russians of deliberately targeting a crowded area.

He said: “The Russians fired at the city with cannon artillery and hit a supermarket. This is another targeted attack on a crowded place, another act of terror from the Russians.

“One of the wounded is in serious condition, he is receiving the necessary medical care.”

The Russians targeted the Donetsk city yesterday with artillery strikes that hit a private house and a kindergarten. A car was also hit and two civilians were killed as a result of the strikes.

The strike comes in the wake of a Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region inside Russia, which has left Putin’s army reeling.

Kyiv’s forces launched a devastating attack on Tuesday, capturing scores of soldiers and villages as they advanced ten kilometres inside Russian territory.

Fierce fighting had been reported around the towns of Sudzha and Korenevo on Thursday, as Russian units struggled to contain the attack.

Ukrainian forces have inflicted heavy casualties on the Russians, wiping out an entire military column in an ambush overnight.

In the early hours of Friday Kyiv also launched a massive drone and missile attack on Russian regions. UAVs attacked a military airfield in Lipetsk, destroying a warehouse full of glide bombs and other ammunition.

Russian military bloggers, however, claim that Russian forces have now stopped Ukraine‘s advance and are preparing to retake captured areas.

The Telegram channel “Diary of Aurors” wrote: “The enemy’s advance is completely paralysed. At the moment, the enemy is trying to hold on to what he has occupied.

“Assault groups have begun carrying out tasks to liberate populated areas. The fighting continues even at night.”