'Cynical and despicable attack': Russian drones strike shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih, killing five and injuring multiple

Russian drones struck a busy shopping centre in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on Friday, killing at least five people and injuring 91 others, according to updated regional authorities. Twenty-one of those wounded were reported to be in serious condition. The attack triggered fires inside the shopping centre as emergency crews rushed to the scene. Videos circulating on social media showed rescuers assisting wounded people outside the damaged building while thick smoke rose from the site.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as a ‘cynical and despicable’ attack. According to Ukrainian officials, the Russian forces carried out two strikes on the shopping centre. The second drone hit roughly half an hour after the initial attack, while emergency responders were already working at the scene. Zelensky said the follow-up strike had targeted the emergency responders. "As of now, five deaths have been reported," he added.

The regional administration initially reported five fatalities, but the death toll later rose to six after one seriously injured victim died in hospital. The number of injured remained at 91, including 21 people in serious condition. Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, said shops inside the shopping centre had caught fire following the attack.

Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Zelensky, has repeatedly been targeted by Russian attacks since the full-scale invasion began. The industrial city is located around 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the front line. The latest attack comes as Russia has intensified its aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities. Zelensky has called on Ukraine's international partners to increase pressure on Moscow. "The world must respond to them accordingly, with real pressure on the aggressor. For peace to be possible, Russia must face real accountability," he said. The deadly strike also came ahead of a planned meeting of Ukraine's international supporters.

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Ukraine allies to meet on Monday

Countries supporting Ukraine will meet in Kyiv on Monday, August 24, to reaffirm their backing for the country. The meeting will coincide with Ukraine's Independence Day. The meeting of the Coalition of the Willing will be co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Zelensky is expected to participate from Kyiv, while European Council President António Costa will attend and NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska will join remotely.

The coalition was established by European allies to strengthen military and security support for Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. At previous meetings, Ukraine's partners have discussed additional air-defence assistance and plans for potential security arrangements following a ceasefire. The upcoming meeting takes place as Moscow continues to launch heavy missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv. Zelensky has urged Ukraine's allies to respond more forcefully to what he describes as an escalation of Russia's war.