Russian drone strikes hit a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih, central Ukraine, on Friday, resulting in at least 16 deaths and more than 130 injuries, including 23 children.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, for whom Kryvyi Rih is his hometown, characterized the incident as a double-tap strike. He stated that an initial wave of drones hit the target, with a second wave striking the mall half an hour later as emergency workers were responding.
Zelensky described the attack as cynical, despicable, and an act of barbarism. Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, confirmed that the number of casualties from the attack was growing.
The strikes come as Russia has intensified its bombardment of Ukrainian cities in recent months. Following the event, Ukraine has urged its allies to increase pressure on Moscow.