Russian Drone Strike on Ukrainian Shopping Centre Kills 16 and Wounds More Than 130

At least 16 people were killed and more than 130 wounded after a Russian drone attack struck a shopping centre in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on Friday, in one of the latest deadly attacks on civilians during Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The daytime strike caused widespread destruction at the busy shopping centre, sending emergency crews rushing to the scene as fires and debris covered parts of the area. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames while rescue teams searched the damaged buildings for survivors.

Regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha said 22 children were among those injured in the attack. The high number of civilian casualties has intensified concerns over the growing danger faced by ordinary Ukrainians as Russian attacks continue far from the front lines.

Ukrainian officials described the attack as a deliberate and particularly devastating strike. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned what he called an “act of barbarism” and vowed that Ukraine would respond.

Officials said the attack involved several Russian drones. Ukrainian authorities have also described the incident as a possible “double-tap” strike, referring to an attack pattern in which a second strike follows an initial attack, potentially putting emergency responders and people attempting to help victims at additional risk.

Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskiy’s hometown, has repeatedly come under Russian attack since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The city is located in the Dnipropetrovsk region, an important industrial area that has faced repeated missile and drone strikes.

The latest attack adds to a growing list of civilian casualties across Ukraine as Russia continues its aerial campaign. Residential areas, businesses and public facilities have repeatedly been damaged, leaving communities struggling to maintain normal life amid the continuing conflict.

For families in Kryvyi Rih, Friday’s attack turned an ordinary day of shopping into a tragedy. Children were among the injured, while rescue workers spent hours dealing with the aftermath and searching through the wreckage.

The deadly strike is likely to further increase pressure on Ukraine’s allies to strengthen the country’s air defences and provide additional support as the war continues.

With casualties still being assessed, Ukrainian authorities warned that the human cost of the attack could rise further as rescue and recovery operations continue.