President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Russia’s attacks on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih an act of terrorism and called on the world to respond by increasing pressure on the aggressor, reports UNN.
Details
Head of State Volodymyr Zelenskyy specified that the drones flew toward the city in two waves.
"The Russians carried out an absolutely cynical and vile strike on an ordinary shopping center in Kryvyi Rih. Half an hour after the first hit and the fire, there was a second strike on the emergency services," the Ukrainian leader wrote on his Telegram channel.
The President also expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and injured.
He stressed that such strikes are simply acts of terrorism. And the world must respond to them accordingly—through real pressure on the aggressor.
In addition
Meanwhile, Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, stressed that the enemy deliberately strikes places where civilians gather in broad daylight.
"People came to the shopping center to go about their ordinary business: to shop, go to work, or spend time with their loved ones. For Russia, this has no significance whatsoever," Lubinets wrote on his official Telegram channel.
He summarized that the Russian army is once again proving that civilians are a deliberate target for it in this war against Ukraine.
What is known about the Russian armed forces’ strike on Kryvyi Rih on August 21
The Russians struck Kryvyi Rih with drones at 4:30 p.m. The target was the "Sonyachna Halereia" shopping mall in the Saksahanskyi district of the city. Immediately after the first strike, a massive fire broke out inside the premises. Two people, one of whom, according to local media reports, was a child, died at the scene. Dozens were injured.
Employees of all services immediately arrived at the scene: rescuers, medics, and law enforcement officers. They immediately began extinguishing the fire and providing assistance to the facility’s employees and shopping mall visitors. However, at 4:52 p.m., the building was struck a second time. This increased the number of victims and injured.
The enemy’s attack on the city continued until 5:28 p.m.
As of now, six deaths are known: five people died at the scene from their injuries, while a sixth resident, who sustained severe injuries, is in the operating room. Injuries were sustained by 96 residents of Kryvyi Rih, including children. Twenty injured people are currently under medical care, but their condition is serious.
The environmental situation in the city has deteriorated. Thick black smoke can be seen dozens of kilometers from the site of the incident. The smoke is pungent and has an unpleasant odor. Residents were asked to close their windows.
Meanwhile, in Russian media, the enemy began spreading its own version of events. The Russians claim that they directed UAVs at "military facilities." And, allegedly, because of the operation of Ukrainian air defenses, the drones deviated from their course and "suddenly" fell onto the roof of the shopping mall.