Russian Missile Strike Claims 18 Lives in President Zelensky's Hometown

In a tragic incident on Friday, a missile attack carried out by Russian forces in Kryvyj Rih, the birthplace of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals, including nine children. The Ukrainian authorities confirmed the fatalities and reported that at least 50 others sustained injuries during the assault, which targeted a residential area.

The regional governor, Serhij Lyssak, indicated that several vehicles and garages were set ablaze, and multiple apartment buildings suffered damage due to the strike. President Zelensky condemned the attack as further evidence that Russia seeks to continue hostilities, stating on a social media platform that only international pressure on Russia and concerted efforts to bolster Ukraine's defenses can influence the timeline for ending the conflict.

This missile strike comes just days after another attack in a major city that resulted in four deaths. Kryvyj Rih is located approximately 70 kilometers from the front lines, and the renewed violence occurs amidst stalled negotiations for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to acknowledge Zelensky's legitimacy.

In a contrasting account, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the missile strike targeted a group of Ukrainian soldiers alongside foreign military trainers in Kryvyj Rih. They reported that the attack resulted in the destruction of up to 85 soldiers and officers from abroad, as well as numerous vehicles. However, the Ukrainian military refuted these claims, asserting that the missile hit a residential neighborhood with a playground.

Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately conducting warfare against civilian areas and critical infrastructure. He noted that within the last 24 hours, Russian forces launched strikes on the cities of Kryvyj Rih and Kharkiv, as well as a power plant in Kherson, despite an agreement aimed at protecting energy facilities. The Ukrainian President emphasized that Russian promises consistently result in further attacks.

In Kharkiv, the aftermath of nighttime drone strikes has left five people dead and 34 others injured, with rescue operations still ongoing. Zelensky remarked that the hit on the power plant, executed via a drone equipped with a camera, could not be coincidental, given the known status of the energy facility and prior Russian commitments to protect such infrastructure.

During a recent phone call, Trump and Putin reached a minimal consensus concerning a moratorium on strikes against energy sites, which Putin ultimately rejected. In the wake of this agreement, both sides have accused each other of violations. Zelensky reiterated his call for the U.S. to impose consequences on Russia for its actions.

Additionally, Zelensky highlighted a meeting between Ukrainian military officials and representatives from France and the United Kingdom, discussing the deployment of their security contingents. The Ukrainian President praised the advancements made in securing guarantees for Ukraine, as Paris and London lead a coalition aimed at establishing a potential peace framework. Russia, however, firmly opposes the presence of European troops in Ukraine, viewing it as a threat to its national security.