President Zelensky has condemned a “deliberate” attack on Ukraine’s “peaceful city” of Kostyantynivka.
At least 17 people, including a child, were killed in the blast, which took place on a busy market street in the middle of the day – a rarity.
Kostyantynivka, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, is near the front line.
Videos on social media show a bright orange explosion at the far end of a street where people were out shopping. Russia is yet to comment on the attack.
Volodymyr Zelensky, who has blamed Moscow, said those killed were “people who did nothing wrong” – and warned the death toll could increase.
Dealing with Russia, he said, meant turning a blind eye to the audacity of evil.
At least 32 people are thought to be injured. A market, pharmacy and shops are all reported to have been hit, resulting in a now-contained fire.
Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, said just after 18:00 local time (16:00 BST) that the search and rescue operation had been completed.
Footage and images circulating online appeared to show the moment of the explosion and its graphic aftermath.
It was one of the worst attacks on Ukrainian civilians since the spring, and took place in a busy street as people were flocking to market stalls and café terraces.
Mr Zelensky described it as “utter inhumanity”, while his wife, Olena Zelenska, said it showed “horrific cruelty”.
An investigation into the attack has been launched by Ukraine’s prosecutor-general, whose office said it was in pursuit of “criminal proceedings for violation of the laws and customs of war”.
“Prosecutors are taking all possible and appropriate measures to record war crimes committed by the Russian Federation,” a statement added.
Officials in Russia have not yet claimed responsibility for the attack. They have previously denied targeting citizens as part of their offensive.
—BBC
