Russian Drone Strike on Kryvyi Rih Mall Kills 16, Injures 130

A Russian drone attack on a shopping centre in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih killed at least 16 people and injured more than 130, including children.

At least 16 people were killed and more than 130 injured after Russian drones struck a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih, central Ukraine, on Friday, Ukrainian authorities said. Children were among those wounded, while rescue teams continued searching through the wreckage for people reported missing.

The daytime attack struck the city, which is the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and triggered a major emergency response. Regional authorities said 22 children were among the wounded and that 29 injured people, including five children, were in serious condition. Nine people, including two children, were later reported missing as rescuers continued clearing debris.

Shopping Centre Hit Twice

The attack began with a Russian drone strike on the shopping centre, followed by another strike roughly 30 minutes later, according to Ukrainian officials.

Zelenskyy described the incident as a “double-tap” attack and alleged that the second strike was intended to hit emergency responders who had arrived after the initial attack. Reuters reported the same Ukrainian allegation, while the available reports did not include an independent confirmation of the attackers' intent.

The strikes caused a fire and extensive damage to the shopping centre, leaving people trapped under rubble.

Emergency crews worked through the aftermath as the casualty count increased during the rescue operation.

Children Among Injured

The scale of civilian casualties has made the attack one of the most serious recent incidents in Kryvyi Rih.

Regional Governor Oleksandr Hanzha said 22 children were among those wounded. Twenty-nine people were reported to be in serious condition, including five children.

By early Saturday, authorities said nine people were still missing, including two children.

Rescue workers continued searching damaged sections of the shopping centre, meaning the casualty figures could change as the operation progresses.

Zelenskyy Vows Response

Zelenskyy condemned the attack in strong terms, calling it an “absolute Russian atrocity” and saying Ukraine would respond.

He also urged the international community to hold Russia accountable for the attack and accused Russian forces of deliberately striking the location again after the first strike.

The Ukrainian president's comments came as Russia continued an intensified aerial campaign involving drones and missiles against Ukrainian cities.

Russia has not publicly accepted responsibility for deliberately targeting civilians in the shopping-centre attack.

Kryvyi Rih Under Attack

Kryvyi Rih has repeatedly come under Russian attack since the full-scale invasion began.

The city is particularly significant because it is Zelenskyy's birthplace and hometown. It has previously suffered deadly attacks, including a strike in April 2025 that killed 20 people, including nine children, according to CBS.

Friday's strike therefore adds to a long series of attacks affecting the city and its civilian population.

The use of drones during daytime hours also increased the immediate danger for shoppers, employees and emergency personnel.

Mykolaiv Strike Kills Four

The shopping-centre attack was part of a wider wave of Russian strikes across Ukraine.

In a separate attack in the Mykolaiv region, at least four people were killed, including three children, while a woman was injured, Ukrainian authorities reported.

Earlier, a Russian attack in the Kharkiv region killed two women and injured others, according to Ukrainian officials cited by CBS.

The separate incidents brought the number of people killed in Russian attacks across Ukraine on Friday to at least 21, according to Associated Press reporting.

Kyiv Attack Came Earlier

The latest strikes followed another major Russian aerial attack on Kyiv on Thursday, in which 17 people were killed, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The repeated attacks indicate a sharp escalation in Russia's long-range air campaign as the war approaches its fourth-and-a-half-year mark.

Ukraine has repeatedly warned that its air-defence systems are under pressure, particularly because of shortages of advanced interceptors.

At the same time, Kyiv has expanded its own long-range drone attacks against targets inside Russia, including oil facilities and military infrastructure.

Drone War Intensifies

The latest attacks demonstrate the increasingly important role of long-range drones in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Ukraine's air force said it intercepted or suppressed 107 of 135 Russian drones launched overnight, according to reports. Russia, meanwhile, has claimed that its air defences have intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones in recent attacks.

The intensification of drone warfare has created new challenges for both sides, but civilian areas remain particularly vulnerable when attacks penetrate air-defence networks.

The Kryvyi Rih tragedy also highlights the dangers created when densely populated civilian locations are struck during the daytime.

Kryvyi Rih Attack: Key Facts

What Happens Next?

The immediate priority remains the search for missing people and treatment of those seriously injured.

Ukrainian authorities are also expected to investigate the circumstances of the strikes and document the damage for possible international legal proceedings.

The attack comes amid a broader escalation in long-range strikes by both Russia and Ukraine. Moscow continues to launch large drone and missile attacks against Ukrainian cities, while Kyiv is increasingly targeting Russian oil and military infrastructure.

For civilians, the latest wave underscores the continuing danger of the war even far from the front lines.

The Russian drone strike on a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih killed at least 16 people and injured more than 130, including children. Ukrainian officials say the site was struck twice, with the second attack coming as emergency teams responded. Zelenskyy has condemned the attack and vowed a response as Russia's aerial campaign against Ukraine intensifies.