A missile strike in Kryvyi Rih resulted in the deaths of 18 people, including nine children, with dozens injured, prompting condemnation from Ukrainian officials and concerns over escalating violence.
Russian Missile Strike in Kryvyi Rih Claims Lives of 18, Including Nine Children
Russian Missile Strike in Kryvyi Rih Claims Lives of 18, Including Nine Children
A devastating attack on President Zelensky's hometown leaves a tragic toll as new violence erupts in Ukraine.
A harrowing missile attack carried out by Russian forces on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has led to the death of at least 18 individuals, including nine innocent children, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack, regarded as one of the deadliest in Ukraine this year, struck a residential area, leading President Volodymyr Zelensky, a native of Kryvyi Rih, to express his outrage on social media. Graphic images showed visuals of the aftermath, including casualties in a playground and significant destruction to a 10-storey apartment block.
In a counter-narrative, Russia's defense ministry claimed to have executed a "high-precision missile strike" targeting a meeting of military commanders, alleging fatalities up to 85, although no evidence was provided. This prompted Ukraine's military to accuse Russia of propagating disinformation to obscure its violent acts. They confirmed the use of an Iskander-M ballistic missile with a devastating cluster warhead designed to inflict maximum harm.
The attack occurred during the early evening and is characterized as one of the most lethal strikes on Kryvyi Rih since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Additional tension is heightened by a recent push for ceasefire talks from U.S. President Donald Trump. Zelensky emphasized that such attacks underscore Russia's lack of interest in a truce.
Local officials, such as Kryvyi Rih's defense chief Oleksandr Vilkul, shared further harrowing details, indicating a residential zone had been effectively targeted, with specific fatalities among children playing nearby. Over 40 individuals received medical attention, with the youngest victim being only three months old.
As the night progressed, officials reported further explosions and a concurrent drone attack in the area resulting in additional casualties and destruction. An elderly woman tragically lost her life due to a fire in her home caused by a drone strike.
The backdrop of this violence includes military discussions involving representatives from the UK and France meeting with Zelensky in Kyiv earlier on the same day, where peacekeeping arrangements were a focal topic, yet the violence showcased a stark contrast to diplomatic efforts. Just days prior to this event, Kryvyi Rih experienced further assaults, claiming additional lives, alongside drone strikes in Kharkiv which resulted in further fatalities.
According to U.S. officials, any decisions regarding a ceasefire from Russian President Vladimir Putin may come soon but not without skepticism, as the world watches the ongoing tragedy unfold in Ukraine. With Kryvyi Rih's proximity to the front lines and its sizeable population, the city's fate remains perilously intertwined with the larger conflict affecting the nation.
