At least 16 individuals lost their lives, and over 130 sustained injuries on Friday due to multiple drone strikes by Russian forces on a shopping center in central Ukraine, as confirmed by authorities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to retaliate against what he described as a savage act. The attack occurred in Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy’s birthplace, with regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha reporting that 22 children were among those injured. Hanzha mentioned that 29 individuals, including five children, are in critical condition. He shared a photo showing thick black smoke emanating from a large industrial building following the incident.
In an update provided early Saturday, Hanzha noted that nine individuals, including two children, were initially reported missing, and rescue teams were actively searching through the wreckage of the shopping center. Zelenskyy condemned the assault as “absolutely cynical and despicable,” highlighting that a second drone strike targeted the shopping center half an hour after the initial attack, aiming to hinder emergency response efforts.
“We will undoubtedly take action,” stated Zelenskyy on Telegram, labeling such attacks as acts of terrorism and urging the global community to hold Russia accountable. European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, criticized the assault, labeling it as a demonstration of Moscow’s moral bankruptcy and strategic intent to render Ukrainian cities uninhabitable.
Matthias Schmale, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, expressed dismay over the tragic impact on civilians from the Kryvyi Rih attack, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding civilian lives and infrastructure under international humanitarian law. Additionally, a separate drone strike in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region claimed the lives of at least four individuals, including three children, and left a woman injured.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to intensify, with Russia escalating its aerial assaults while Ukraine targets Russian oil facilities and logistical networks to disrupt Moscow’s military capabilities. The ongoing conflict between the two nations commenced with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has since evolved into a protracted state of warfare.