The death toll from a Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has risen to 18, including nine children, according to regional officials.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – who comes from Kryvyi Rih – says the youngest to lose their life in Friday’s attack was just three-years-old.
At least 72 others were injured, with the youngest being a three-month-old baby, in what authorities say was a ballistic missile attack. About half of them remain in the hospital receiving treatment, with 17 of them still in critical condition, according to regional Governor Serhii Lysak.
“There can never be forgiveness for this,” said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city’s defence council.
Local authorities said the strike damaged some 20 apartment buildings, close to three dozen vehicles, an educational facility and a restaurant. Authorities say the missile targeted a residential neighbourhood.
Kryvyi Rih has a population of approximately 600,000 and lies about 70 kilometres from the eastern front line.
“The missile struck an area right next to residential buildings – hitting a playground and ordinary streets,” said Zelenskyy on his official Telegram channel.
The Russian Defence Ministry says it carried out a “high-precision missile strike” with a high explosive warhead on a restaurant where a meeting with unit commanders and Western instructors was taking place.
The Kremlin says the attack killed 85 military personnel and foreign officers, and destroyed 20 vehicles used for military purposes. Kyiv rejects those claims and accuses Moscow of deliberately targeting civilians.
Russian strikes are continuing to target Ukrainian cities on a daily basis. Kyiv says almost 100 drones were launched into Ukraine overnight, with 51 shot-down by air defences.
Zelenskyy says Russia’s continued offensive showcases their unwillingness to end the war, as he accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling and not being serious about peace amid ongoing US efforts to broker a truce and end the more than three-year long war.
The Ukrainian leader urged allies to exert more pressure on Moscow to agree to a peace deal. He also called for more support to Ukraine to bolster air defences to be better equipped to fend off Russian aerial threats.
Zelenskyy also criticised Washington’s response to the attack on his hometown. US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget A Brink, posted on social media on Friday saying she was “horrified” by the strike.
“More than 50 people injured and 16 killed, including 6 children. This is why the war must end,” the post said.
Zelenskyy, who has so far had a strained relationship with US President Donald Trump reacted to the Ambassador’s comments saying it was “unpleasantly surprising” for not naming Russia as the perpetrator of the attack.
ADVERTISEMENT“Such a strong country, such a strong people – and such a weak reaction. They are even afraid to say the word ‘Russian’ when talking about the missile that killed children,” said Zelenskyy.
“Yes, the war must end. But in order to end it, we must not be afraid to call a spade a spade,” added the Ukrainian president.
