Zelensky Promises Retaliation After Deadly Drone Strike on Ukrainian Mall

In a devastating escalation of the ongoing conflict, at least 16 individuals lost their lives and over 130 sustained injuries when a series of Russian drone strikes targeted a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. The attack, which occurred yesterday, has drawn widespread condemnation and has prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to pledge a decisive response.

Describing the assault as an "act of barbarism," Zelensky emphasized that such attacks constitute terrorist acts. He urged the global community to hold Russia accountable for its actions. The regional governor, Oleksandr Hanzha, reported that at least nine people remain unaccounted for and are believed to be trapped beneath the debris of the devastated shopping center.

Among the wounded, 22 were children, with five in critical condition, according to Hanzha. Zelensky specifically criticized the timing of the second drone strike, which hit the mall shortly after the initial attack, suggesting it was a calculated move to target emergency responders.

In response to the assault, Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, condemned the strikes as "terror by design" and announced her intention to propose extensive sanctions against Russia during an upcoming meeting in Ireland. "Russia's attack on Kryvyi Rih showcases the utter depravity of Moscow's war," Kallas stated, asserting that the intent is to render Ukrainian cities uninhabitable.

The aftermath of the drone strike comes on the heels of another night of violence, with local authorities reporting additional casualties from Russian airstrikes in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia. One person was killed in a warehouse fire in Kyiv following a ballistic missile strike, while another individual died from a drone strike in Zaporizhzhia.

In a reciprocal display of aggression, Ukraine has also conducted drone strikes targeting Russian facilities, including an oil refinery in the Perm region and a military airfield in Volgograd. These strikes are seen as part of Ukraine's ongoing efforts to disrupt Russian military capabilities.

Despite the chaos, Ukraine's air defense forces successfully intercepted or suppressed a significant number of Russian drones, with reports indicating that 107 out of 135 drones launched were neutralized overnight. The recent uptick in violence has drawn attention to the ongoing struggle in the region, as civilian casualties continue to mount.

Source: www.independent.co.uk