‘Women & children trapped under rubble’ after Russian forces ‘bomb Mariupol school’ where 400 were hiding

A NUMBER of women and children have been reportedly trapped under the rubble after Putin’s forces bombed a school in Mariupol. The Mariupol City Council said 400 civilians were hiding at the art school in the besieged city. Maximilian Clarke / Story Picture AgencyMariupol has been under fire for over two weeks[/caption] Maximilian Clarke / Story Picture AgencyEntire neighbourhoods have been destroyed[/caption] Ukrainian authorities said the building was completely destroyed and people could be trapped inside. It currently remains unknown if there are any casualties. It comes after Putin’s troops bombed a theatre in Mariupol said to be sheltering 1,200 people. Satellite images from two days ago showed the word “children” written in large white letters in Russian outside the front and back of the building, the Maxar space technology company said. READ MORE ON UKRAINE PUTIN'S TERROR FIERCE fighting hits Mariupol centre as Putin's tanks seen 'in streets' SPACED OUT Europe mission to Mars 'could be delayed until 2028' because of Ukraine invasion In a statement, Ukraine‘s foreign ministry said: “The theatre building served as shelter for hundreds of Mariupol residents who had lost their homes as a result of Russian armed forces bombing and shelling the city. “The bomb strike demolished the central part of the theatre building, causing large numbers of people to be buried under the debris. “The assessment of the exact number of persons affected is currently impossible due to ongoing shelling. “By delivering a purposeful bomb attack to the place of mass gathering of civilians Russia has committed another war crime. Most read in The Sun FIGHT NIGHT Latest reaction as Thor says Hall is welcome to rematch after FLOORING Brit STUDENT MURDER Urgent search for man, 22, after student, 19, murdered inside uni halls BABY JOY Leona Lewis expecting first child with husband Dennis 'over the moon' TV STAR'S AGONY Gogglebox star's boyfriend on life support machine after being hit by car BRITISH BEEF AJ reveals why he's backing Eddie Hall vs Thor as Strongmen prepare to fight SEXUAL HEALING My hubby watches me 'have sex' with other men, says Catherine Tyldesley “Putin’s regime has long since crossed the line of humanity.” Pictures showed a pile of rubble with twisted metal and smoke rising from the ruins while videos showed blood soaked victims being rushed to hospital – and numerous bodies in the basement of the theatre. Fighting in the port city of Mariupol continues with Earlier this week, footage showed Putin’s kill squad opening fire on a high-rise building. Read More on The Sun STUDENT MURDER Urgent search for man, 22, after student, 19, murdered inside uni halls MUST BE YOLKING There are NO free range eggs in shops from next week - here's why The clip, said to have been released by pro-Putin Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, begins by showing the fighters gathered in a Mariupol alleyway against a backdrop of patriotic music. It goes on to show the hit men pounding a building in the bombed-out city from behind a tank, before bizarrely cutting to soldiers appearing to rescue women and children. A theater sheltering civilians was bombed despite the word “children” written outside the building The Mariupol Drama Theatre was bombed on March 16 Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears. Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund. Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded. Donate here to help The Sun’s fund Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles £3 — text SUN£3£5 — text SUN£5£10 — text SUN£10 Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis. In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world. For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund