Russian strikes kill 16 in Kryvyi Rih shopping centre attack

Russian drone strikes on a shopping centre in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih killed at least 16 people and wounded more than 130, authorities said, in an attack President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned as "absolutely cynical and despicable" Source: AP News. The attack came in two waves, with a second drone hitting the site about half an hour after the first, which Zelenskyy said was aimed at emergency responders Source: BBC. Nine people, including two children, remained missing as of Saturday Source: Euronews.

Wider context

The Kryvyi Rih attack followed a major Russian missile and drone assault on Kyiv that killed at least 16 people Source: AP News. Russia has intensified strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent months, exploiting Ukraine's shortage of Patriot air defence interceptors Source: AP News. The United Nations said Kyiv was one of the hardest-hit cities in July, with at least 54 civilians killed Source: AP News.

Ukraine's response

Ukraine has continued its own long-range strikes on Russian infrastructure, targeting oil refineries and logistics hubs Source: Euronews. The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 182 drones and three missiles overnight Source: Euronews. Russia's Defence Ministry said it downed 457 Ukrainian drones overnight Source: Moscow Times.

International reaction

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the attack "terror by design" and said she was proposing the most far-reaching Russia sanctions listings since the start of the war Source: The Guardian. Romania scrambled F-16 jets to destroy a marine drone near the Neptun Deep gas project, with President Nicuşor Dan blaming Russia Source: CNBC.