Nineteen Dead in Kryvyj Rih as Russia Targets Residential Areas
Russian missile strike results in civilian casualties, prompting strong condemnation from Ukrainian officials.
A Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyj Rih resulted in the deaths of 19 individuals, including nine children, and left over 70 others injured.
The attack occurred late at night and has sparked widespread outrage across Ukraine.
According to Serhij Lysak, the regional governor, the casualty figures include a three-month-old infant and several elderly individuals.
As of the latest reports, 40 people remain hospitalized, with some children in critical condition.
The missile struck a residential area near a playground, leading Oleksandr Wilkul, head of the city's military administration, to describe the incident as a "mass murder of civilians".
In light of the attack, Wilkul announced three days of mourning for the victims, referring to the strike as a "terrorist attack by the killer country".
The Russian military acknowledged the attack on Kryvyj Rih but characterized it as a "precision strike" targeting a restaurant where Ukrainian commanders were reportedly meeting with their Western instructors.
A Russian statement claimed that 85 Ukrainian soldiers and foreign officers were killed, along with the destruction of approximately 20 military vehicles.
There have been no reported civilian casualties mentioned by the Russian side.
Photographic evidence released by Ukrainian sources showed no military targets in the vicinity of the strike.
The Ukrainian General Staff dismissed the Russian claims as disinformation, asserting that the missile, identified as an Iskander-M ballistic missile using cluster munitions, was aimed at maximizing civilian casualties across a broader area.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the response from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, particularly pointing out the lack of direct attribution of the attack to Russia by U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink.
Zelensky expressed dissatisfaction, stating: "Such a strong country, such strong people - and such a weak reaction".
Following the strike, Brink expressed her shock regarding the attack targeting civilians but refrained from explicitly naming Russia as the aggressor.
Previously, Zelensky had accused Russia of targeting civilians, citing recent attacks on Kryvyj Rih and Kharkiv, as well as an assault on an energy facility in Kherson.
He highlighted that, despite prior agreements to safeguard energy infrastructure, Russian attacks continue unabated, stressing that their aim is to escalate violence rather than pursue peace.
The attack in Kryvyj Rih is part of a broader pattern of recent assaults on civilian targets, including a drone strike in Kharkiv that resulted in five deaths and 34 injuries.
Zelensky stated that attacks on essential infrastructure have continued despite understandings reached between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin regarding the protection of energy sectors from strikes.
He reiterated calls for international consequences regarding Russia's ongoing military actions.
The attack occurred late at night and has sparked widespread outrage across Ukraine.
According to Serhij Lysak, the regional governor, the casualty figures include a three-month-old infant and several elderly individuals.
As of the latest reports, 40 people remain hospitalized, with some children in critical condition.
The missile struck a residential area near a playground, leading Oleksandr Wilkul, head of the city's military administration, to describe the incident as a "mass murder of civilians".
In light of the attack, Wilkul announced three days of mourning for the victims, referring to the strike as a "terrorist attack by the killer country".
The Russian military acknowledged the attack on Kryvyj Rih but characterized it as a "precision strike" targeting a restaurant where Ukrainian commanders were reportedly meeting with their Western instructors.
A Russian statement claimed that 85 Ukrainian soldiers and foreign officers were killed, along with the destruction of approximately 20 military vehicles.
There have been no reported civilian casualties mentioned by the Russian side.
Photographic evidence released by Ukrainian sources showed no military targets in the vicinity of the strike.
The Ukrainian General Staff dismissed the Russian claims as disinformation, asserting that the missile, identified as an Iskander-M ballistic missile using cluster munitions, was aimed at maximizing civilian casualties across a broader area.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the response from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, particularly pointing out the lack of direct attribution of the attack to Russia by U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink.
Zelensky expressed dissatisfaction, stating: "Such a strong country, such strong people - and such a weak reaction".
Following the strike, Brink expressed her shock regarding the attack targeting civilians but refrained from explicitly naming Russia as the aggressor.
Previously, Zelensky had accused Russia of targeting civilians, citing recent attacks on Kryvyj Rih and Kharkiv, as well as an assault on an energy facility in Kherson.
He highlighted that, despite prior agreements to safeguard energy infrastructure, Russian attacks continue unabated, stressing that their aim is to escalate violence rather than pursue peace.
The attack in Kryvyj Rih is part of a broader pattern of recent assaults on civilian targets, including a drone strike in Kharkiv that resulted in five deaths and 34 injuries.
Zelensky stated that attacks on essential infrastructure have continued despite understandings reached between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin regarding the protection of energy sectors from strikes.
He reiterated calls for international consequences regarding Russia's ongoing military actions.
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Translated by AI
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