A deadly Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has resulted in at least 18 deaths, including nine children, according to Ukrainian authorities. The missile targeted a residential area, leaving dozens more injured, with some victims found in playgrounds and on the road. President Volodymyr Zelensky, who hails from Kryvyi Rih, condemned the attack as one of the deadliest on his hometown since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
While Russia’s defense ministry claimed the missile was aimed at a meeting of unit commanders and Western instructors, Ukraine’s military has dismissed this as false information meant to cover up Russia’s crimes. The missile strike involved an Iskander-M ballistic missile with a cluster warhead designed to cause maximum casualties.
In addition to the missile strike, the city was targeted by drone attacks, resulting in fires and further casualties, including the death of an elderly woman. Kryvyi Rih, located about 40 miles from the front line, continues to bear the brunt of Russia’s offensive as international pressure mounts for a ceasefire.
The strike comes as the US, UK, and France accuse Russia of stalling peace efforts, with military leaders meeting in Kyiv to discuss potential foreign peacekeepers. However, Russia’s continued bombardment signals little hope for a ceasefire in the near future.
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