Russian drones kill 14 people at shopping mall in central Ukraine

Russian drones launched an attack on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih, a city in central Ukraine, on Friday, resulting in 14 deaths and numerous injuries, authorities reported. Kryvyi Rih is the birthplace of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who characterized the assault as a "double-tap" strike. The first wave of drones targeted the area, followed by a second wave as emergency responders arrived.

Zelenskyy condemned the attack, labeling it a "terrorist act" on social media. Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the local administration, confirmed 14 fatalities, with 121 people injured, including 22 children. Rescue efforts were still underway. Kryvyi Rih has been the target of numerous drone strikes during the ongoing war that has lasted over four years; the deadliest incident occurred in April 2025, claiming the lives of 20 people, including nine children.

This attack followed closely, just 24 hours after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killing at least 16 people. Moscow is believed to be leveraging Ukraine's limited defensive capabilities to carry out these attacks.