Deadly Russian Drone Strikes on Shopping Centre in Kryvyi Rih Kill 14 and Injure Over 120

Firefighters work at the site of a shopping centre hit by Russian drone strikes in Kryvyi Rih on Friday. Russian drones have struck a busy shopping centre in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, resulting in at least 14 deaths and leaving more than 120 people wounded.

Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih Defence Council, reported via Telegram that the Friday strikes hit the city's largest shopping complex, which subsequently caught fire. By 8pm local time (17:00 GMT), the confirmed death toll stood at 14, with 121 individuals injured, including 22 children. Vilkul noted that 29 of the wounded victims were in critical condition.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly condemned the assault on his hometown, labeling it cynical and despicable. He stated that a second Russian drone impacted the shopping centre half an hour after the initial blast, which he described as a deliberate attempt to strike emergency services.

"Attacks like these are nothing less than terrorist acts," Zelenskyy said on Telegram, calling on the global community to hold Russia accountable. "The world must respond to them accordingly – with real pressure on the aggressor. For peace to be possible, Russia must face real accountability," he added.

Social media footage captured emergency responders aiding the injured on nearby streets while thick smoke billowed from the damaged structure. In a separate incident, a Russian strike in the Mykolaiv region resulted in four deaths, including three children, according to Interior Minister Ivan Vyhivskyi.

Al Jazeera’s Audrey Macalpine, reporting from Kyiv, stated that the attack on the mall had generated widespread outrage. While it remained unconfirmed whether the shopping complex was the intended target, footage indicated the strike was deliberate. Macalpine also pointed out that Ukraine has recently increased operations targeting Russian warehouses linked to Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer.

Kryvyi Rih, an industrial hub located approximately 60km (37 miles) from the front line, has faced continuous attacks throughout the conflict. Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine documented at least 437 civilian fatalities and 2,610 injuries due to Russian strikes in July, marking the highest monthly civilian casualty figure since May 2022. Allies of Ukraine are scheduled to convene on Monday to reaffirm their support for Kyiv.