Ukraine family buries mother and child 'burned to death' in Russian strike

Grieving relatives in western Ukraine gathered Saturday for the funeral of Oksana Bylo and her young daughter, killed Wednesday in a Russian strike that flattened buildings and left 33 people dead.

The attacks in the city of Ternopil were among the deadliest this year in Ukraine and among the worst ever in the west of the country, generally too far from the front lines to be targeted.

During Saturday's funeral, attended by an AFP journalist, relatives and residents laid flowers in front of the coffins of the two victims and held a religious service.

Oksana's mother described their loss as "indescribable" and recounted how her daughter had called her for help as their home caught fire.

"She called me at 6:30 am to see if we were okay. We hadn't heard the air raid siren," said Galina, 65.

"She asked: 'Mom, Dad, are you okay? There are lots of rockets flying around us.' I told her to take the child, get dressed, take her papers, and leave the house," she recounted.

But Oksana's home was hit by the strike, which blew off the upper floors of several residential buildings in the city.

"She said: 'Mom, Dad, help us, we're burning, help us, help us!' My husband rushed over, but when he arrived, everything was on fire," she continued.

"They burned to death together. What a horrible death," Galina said.

Thursday's attack also left 90 people wounded, with many children among the victims, according to the latest count by the emergency services.