Photo credit: www.bbc.com
Fatal Missile Strike in Kryvyi Rih: At Least 16 Confirmed Dead
A recent missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, a central Ukrainian city, has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 16 lives, with many more individuals sustaining injuries, as reported by regional governor Serhii Lysak.
Among the deceased are six children, as noted by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has personal ties to Kryvyi Rih, having grown up there. The impact of the attack was particularly evident, with reports indicating at least one victim found in a nearby playground that was sealed off by authorities.
Details from the city’s defense administration chief, Oleksandr Vilkul, revealed that a ballistic missile struck a densely populated residential area. Eyewitness footage displayed the severe destruction, showing considerable damage to a 10-storey apartment building and casualties lying on the streets.
This incident, which occurred early on Friday evening, marks one of the deadliest assaults on Kryvyi Rih since the onset of Russia’s extensive invasion in 2022. The timing of this attack coincided with ongoing discussions by U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for a ceasefire in the conflict.
President Zelensky took to social media to express his concerns, stating, “There is only one reason why this continues: Russia doesn’t want a ceasefire, and we see it.” He also reported that more than 40 people received medical attention, with the youngest among the injured being just three months old.
On the day of the attack, military leaders from both the United Kingdom and France held talks with Zelensky in Kyiv, contemplating the potential deployment of international peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a possible ceasefire arrangement. However, the recent surge in violence casts doubt on the feasibility of these negotiations.
Kryvyi Rih had experienced prior assaults earlier in the week, including an attack that resulted in the death of four individuals. Additionally, early Friday, drone attacks in the northeastern city of Kharkiv accounted for five more fatalities.
The UK and France have accused Russia of stalling progress on peace negotiations in Ukraine. Speaking at a NATO summit in Brussels, UK Foreign Minister David Lammy remarked that the Russian leadership “could accept a ceasefire now, [but] he continues to bombard Ukraine and its civilian population.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the U.S. is closely monitoring Russia’s responses and stressed that it remains to be seen whether Russia is genuinely committed to pursuing real peace or merely employing delay tactics.
Kryvyi Rih, situated approximately 40 miles (70 kilometers) from the front lines of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, is known for its lengthy layout and has a population of around 600,000.
Source
www.bbc.com