Russia launched two drone attacks on a shopping mall in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, resulting in at least 16 deaths and 130 injuries. Controversy has arisen as Ukrainian officials claim the second attack targeted rescuers who arrived on the scene after the first strike caused a fire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on August 21 that there would be "definite retaliation" for the attacks. He asserted that the first strike ignited a fire, and approximately 30 minutes later, a second attack was aimed at the emergency responders.
Video footage verified by CNN shows a Russian drone hitting the shopping center, sending a massive fireball into the air, along with smoke from the earlier attack.
Witnesses reported that smoke filled the shopping center, forcing people to evacuate, and fires broke out in various stores. There are also reports of missing individuals trapped in the debris, raising the possibility of an increased death toll.
According to local authorities in Kryvyi Rih, among the 130 injured, at least 29 are in serious condition. CNN reported that a 14-year-old girl suffered traumatic brain injuries, and four other children were among the injured.
This attack occurred amid ongoing Russian airstrikes in Ukraine. On August 22, a warehouse in the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv was hit, resulting in one death and several injuries. In southern Zaporizhzhia, a Russian drone struck a minibus, killing one man and injuring four others. Casualties were also reported in Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kherson.
Just a day before the Kryvyi Rih attack, Russia conducted large-scale strikes on Kyiv and surrounding areas, resulting in at least 17 deaths, according to Ukrainian sources.
Civilian casualties have significantly increased recently. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission reported that at least 437 Ukrainian civilians were killed last month, a 70% increase compared to a year ago, marking the highest level in nearly four years since May 2022.
Ukraine is struggling to respond effectively to Russian airstrikes, partly due to a lack of air defense systems. CNN noted that Ukraine is facing a severe shortage of U.S.-made Patriot missiles capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
Ukraine is also expanding its attacks targeting Russian territory. On the night of the attacks, Ukrainian forces struck a refinery in Novokuibyshevsk in Samara Oblast and a logistics hub for Ozon, known as the "Russian Amazon." The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted over 450 Ukrainian drones.
As both sides remain in a stalemate, the use of long-range drones and missiles is increasing, leading to greater civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, the Russian government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the attack on the Kryvyi Rih shopping center.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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