Deadly Russian Rocket Attack on Kryvyi Rih Leaves 18 Dead, 61 Injured
A Russian ballistic missile strike on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s home city of Kryvyi Rih killed 18 people on Friday, among them nine children, authorities said.
The Attack
The missile struck a residential area near a children’s playground and wounded more than two dozen others, according to the head of the city’s military administration. Unverified videos on social media appeared to show bodies lying on a street, while another showed a plume of smoke rising into the evening sky.
Casualties and Damage
"18… that is how many people were killed by the Russians when they launched a missile at Kryvyi Rih. Among them were nine children," Dnipropetrovsk regional governor Sergiy Lysak said on Telegram. He said 61 people were injured in the attack, among them 12 children. "This is the kind of pain you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy," Lysak added.
Five apartment buildings were damaged, interior minister Igor Klymenko said. Police had blocked off the area to maintain order. "The police are documenting the consequences of Russia’s war crime and accepting statements from the victims," Klymenko added.
Russia’s Defence
Russia’s ministry of defence said it "delivered a precision strike with a high-explosive missile at a restaurant" in the city "where commanders of formations and Western instructors were meeting".
International Reaction
US President Donald Trump has been pushing for a speedy end to the more than three-year war since taking office, but his administration has failed to broker a ceasefire despite talks with both sides. Zelensky said the attack showed Russia had no interest in stopping its full-scale invasion, launched in February 2022. "There is only one reason why this continues – Russia does not want a ceasefire and we see it. The whole world sees it," he said.
War Crime
Kryvyi Rih, in Ukraine’s central Dnipropetrovsk region, is about 60km from the front line, and has regularly been targeted by Russian drones and missiles. Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the city’s military administration, said the missile landed near a children’s playground. Andriy Kovalenko, a Ukrainian official tasked with countering disinformation, described the missile involved in the attack as an "Iskander". The Iskander is a Russian ballistic missile system that can have a range of up to 500km. "This is a deliberate strike to kill a large number of people," Kovalenko said.
Zelensky’s Response
Zelensky accused Russia of regarding diplomacy as an "empty word" in his evening address. "A ceasefire could have been reached by now and it is Putin who rejects it," he said.
Conclusion
The attack on Kryvyi Rih is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The international community must condemn such attacks and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
FAQs
Q: How many people were killed in the attack?
A: 18 people were killed, including nine children.
Q: How many people were injured?
A: 61 people were injured, including 12 children.
Q: What was the target of the attack?
A: The missile struck a residential area near a children’s playground.
Q: Who is responsible for the attack?
A: Russia’s ministry of defence claims the attack was carried out to target a restaurant where commanders of formations and Western instructors were meeting.
Q: What is the international community doing to address the conflict?
A: The international community is condemning the attack and working towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.