Russian strike kills at least 6 at shopping center in central Ukrainian city

On Friday, Russian drones targeted a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih, a central Ukrainian city and hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At least six individuals lost their lives in the attack, with numerous others sustaining injuries, according to authorities. Among those injured were 91 people, including six children.

Kryvyi Rih has experienced multiple drone strikes throughout the ongoing conflict, with one of the deadliest incidents occurring in April 2025, claiming the lives of 20 people, including nine children. The latest assault unfolded just 24 hours after a nighttime aerial strike on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, which resulted in at least 16 fatalities.

Russian forces have escalated their use of ballistic missiles on Kyiv in recent months, capitalizing on Ukraine's limited supply of U.S.-made Patriot air defense interceptors, the only weapon capable of countering such missiles. This summer alone, large-scale Russian strikes have claimed the lives of at least 17 individuals in Kyiv and nine others in the city two days prior.

The United Nations reported last week that Kyiv was among the most severely impacted cities in July, with at least 54 civilians losing their lives and 202 sustaining injuries.