Russian Drone Strikes on Shopping Center in Ukraine Leave Six Dead and 91 Injured, Including Children

Six people have been killed and 91 others injured, including six children, following two Russian drone strikes on a shopping center in Krivyi Rih, Ukraine.

The toll was confirmed by local authorities, who cited media reports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly condemned the incident, describing it as an “absolutely cynical and despicable” act.

Zelensky said the attack took place in two stages. According to him, around 30 minutes after the first strike and the outbreak of the fire, another attack was carried out, this time targeting the rescue teams at the scene.

“Combat drones struck in two waves. Half an hour after the first impact and the fire, there was a second attack targeting the rescue teams,” the Ukrainian president said, while expressing his condolences to the victims’ families.

Another drone attack was also reported overnight in the Kharkiv region.

Russian forces directed six drones at the village of Lebyazhe, in the Chuhuiv district. As a result of the attack, a 73-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman were killed.

Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synegubov announced that a 41-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman were also injured in the attack.

Fires engulfed five private homes, three of which were completely destroyed. Overall, 20 private residential buildings were damaged, including three auxiliary structures.

“All emergency services are working at full speed,” Synegubov said.

The Ukrainian Air Force said that Russia used a total of 135 attack drones during the offensive. They included Shahed drones, jet-powered models, Gerbera drones and Parodiya-type decoy vehicles.

The drones were launched from several areas, including Kursk, Millerovo, Orel and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, as well as from the occupied territories of Donetsk and Crimea.

Initial data showed that by 08:00 Kyiv time, Ukrainian air defenses had shot down or neutralized 107 Russian drones in the northern, southern and eastern parts of the country.

The attacks were reported as Russia and Ukraine continue fierce aerial clashes and the widespread use of drones by both sides.