At least six people were killed and around 90 wounded when Russian drones struck a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine on Friday, local authorities said.
Avisen Danmark, citing Ritzau and Reuters, reports that the attack hit the shopping center during the day on Friday, August 21. Kryvyi Rih is the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and lies about 350 kilometers southeast of Kyiv.
Governor Oleksandr Hanzha wrote on Telegram that six children were among the injured. He also said 21 people were in serious condition, including one child.
Zelenskyy wrote on X that the attack came in several waves. According to the president, a second strike followed about half an hour after the first, when rescue services were already at the site. He accused Russia of deliberately targeting the responders and described such strikes as terrorism.
Casualty figures rose through the day
Reuters initially reported five people killed and 52 wounded, noting that authorities expected the number of injured to rise. Later Friday, RBC-Ukraine reported six dead and 103 injured, including 11 children, with 27 people in serious condition.
RBC-Ukraine identified the site as the Soniachna Halleria mall, the largest shopping center in the city. According to the outlet, the complex was hit twice by attack drones, and the toll rose as one wounded person died in hospital.
Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih defense council, said the center was struck more than once, per NV. He described the second strike as involving a jet-powered Shahed-type drone and urged residents to stay in shelters.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine confirmed that dozens were wounded and that crews were working at the site while the building burned, as reported by ABC. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office has opened a criminal investigation under Article 438 of the Criminal Code, treating the strike as a suspected war crime, according to NV.
Attacks intensified in August
Russia has stepped up its air attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, Avisen Danmark reports. On Thursday, 17 people were killed in ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv. Ukraine has also intensified strikes inside Russia, hitting oil facilities and logistics centers, including warehouses linked to the e-commerce platform Wildberries.
Ukrainian officials have previously said those strikes are a response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Earlier on Friday it was announced that the so-called coalition of the willing, which includes Denmark, will meet on Monday. Around ten heads of state and government are expected in Kyiv on the day, which is also Ukraine’s independence day, while others will join by video link.
Denmark has previously signaled its readiness to take part in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine.
