At least 16 individuals lost their lives and over 130 sustained injuries in an assault carried out by multiple Russian drones on a shopping center in central Ukraine, as confirmed by local authorities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the incident as an “act of barbarism” and vowed to retaliate.
The regional governor, Oleksandr Hanzha, disclosed that among the casualties were 22 children in the daytime attack on Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of Zelenskyy. Hanzha further indicated that 29 individuals, including five children, were in critical condition, with a photo showing dark smoke emanating from a large industrial structure.
In an early update on Saturday, Hanzha mentioned that nine people, including two children, were initially reported missing, while rescue teams continued efforts to clear the rubble at the shopping center site.
Zelenskyy strongly condemned the assault, describing it as “absolutely cynical and despicable.” He highlighted that a second drone strike targeted the shopping center 30 minutes after the initial attack, suggesting a deliberate intent to harm emergency responders.
Regarding the incident, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for accountability, labeling such assaults as acts of terrorism and asserting that Ukraine would respond decisively. European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, characterized the attack on the shopping center as evidence of Moscow’s extreme cruelty in the ongoing conflict.
Matthias Schmale, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, expressed condemnation for the tragic impact on civilians resulting from the assault in Kryvyi Rih. He stressed the importance of upholding international humanitarian law, particularly the protection of civilians during conflicts.
In a separate incident on the same day, Ukrainian state media reported that a Russian drone strike in Mykolaiv resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals, including three children, and left a woman injured. The escalation of aerial warfare by Russia in Ukraine persists as the conflict approaches its 4-1/2-year mark, with recent casualties from missile attacks in the capital Kyiv.
Amid the intensified hostilities, Ukraine has also targeted Russian oil facilities and logistical infrastructure to undermine Moscow’s military capabilities. The ongoing conflict between the two nations began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, leading to a protracted state of all-out warfare.