At least six dead and 91 wounded in a Russian attack on a shopping mall in Ukraine in broad daylight

At least six people were killed and 91 injured in a Russian attack on a shopping mall in central Ukraine during broad daylight on Friday, according to preliminary reports from local authorities. The incident occurred in Kriviy Rig, a city in the Dnipropetrovsk region and the birthplace of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attack was carried out using drones, with officials describing it as a deliberate and cowardly strike against civilians. The assault took place around midday, with witnesses reporting explosions followed by fires breaking out inside the mall. Local governor Oleksandr Ganja confirmed the death toll and noted that 21 of the injured were in critical condition, including one child. He stated through his Telegram channel earlier that shops within the complex were engulfed in flames after the initial drone strikes. According to the head of the city’s military administration, Oleksandr Vilkul, the Russian forces launched two waves of attacks, with the second wave targeting emergency services responding to the first strike. President Zelenskyy condemned the attack as an “infamous” act of terrorism, calling it a direct assault on civilian infrastructure. In a post on his X account, he described the strike as “absolutely cynical and vile,” emphasizing that such actions should not go unanswered. He urged the international community to apply pressure on Russia, stating that the world must respond decisively to such aggression. Images released by Ukraine's Prosecutor General’s Office showed the interior of the damaged building, which had been severely affected by fire. Unverified video footage captured the moment a drone struck the roof of the structure, which was already emitting smoke. The footage underscored the precision of the attack, which targeted a commercial hub rather than a military installation. Kriviy Rig has long been a target of Russian bombardments since the start of the large-scale invasion in February 2022. The city, located approximately 300 kilometers southeast of Kyiv, has faced repeated attacks aimed at disrupting civilian life and undermining morale. This latest strike, however, marked one of the deadliest incidents in the area so far this year. Local residents described scenes of chaos following the attack, with emergency responders working to evacuate shoppers and extinguish fires. Some survivors recounted hearing the sound of drones before the explosions, indicating that the attack was well-coordinated and likely planned in advance. The timing of the strike, during peak hours when the mall would have been crowded, suggests an intent to maximize casualties among civilians. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any security measures were in place at the time of the attack, nor have they identified the specific type of drones used. However, experts believe that the use of drones reflects a growing trend in hybrid warfare, where non-traditional weapons are employed to achieve strategic objectives while minimizing direct confrontation. As the investigation into the attack continues, Ukrainian officials have called for increased international support to counter Russian aggression. They emphasized that the incident highlights the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure in conflict zones and the need for stronger sanctions against Moscow. Meanwhile, Russian state media have remained silent on the matter, offering no official response or acknowledgment of the attack. Emergency services continue to work to contain the damage and provide medical care to the injured. The mall, once a bustling center of commerce, now stands as a symbol of the ongoing devastation in Ukraine. With tensions remaining high along the front lines, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of the war.