Tragic Attack on Kryvyi Rih: 18 Lives Lost, Including Children, in Assault on Zelensky’s Hometown

A recent missile attack in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, has devastated the city, claiming the lives of at least 18 people, including nine children. This tragic event has left many others wounded, with local officials reporting that a ballistic missile struck a residential area, causing significant destruction.

Images from the scene show harrowing moments, including victims found in playgrounds and extensive damage to apartment buildings. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who grew up in Kryvyi Rih, condemned the attack, emphasizing that it reflects a continuation of hostilities rather than a desire for peace. "Russia doesn’t want a ceasefire, and we see it," he stated on social media.

The Russian defense ministry reacted by claiming the missile strike was a targeted operation against military commanders but provided no supporting evidence. This incident marks one of the deadliest attacks on Kryvyi Rih since the escalation of conflict in 2022, highlighting the ongoing risks for civilians.

In addition to the missile strike, the city experienced a series of drone attacks later the same day, which caused further fires and might have led to more casualties. Local officials stated that over 40 people received medical treatment, with the youngest victim being just three months old.

Kryvyi Rih, a city of around 600,000 residents, is approximately 40 miles from the front line. Tragically, this is not the first attack this week; a previous assault earlier resulted in four deaths, and Kharkiv faced drone strikes that killed five others.

Experts argue that these ongoing attacks highlight a concerning trend where civilian areas become targets in warfare. For instance, a report from the UN in early 2023 showed that attacks on civilians in Ukraine more than doubled, underscoring the severity of the conflict.

Leaders from the UK and France recently met with Zelensky in Kyiv to discuss potential peacekeeping efforts, but violence remains rampant. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy criticized Russia’s delay in negotiations, pointing out that the continued bombardment contradicts any claim of seeking peace.

As the conflict drags on, the world watches closely. While efforts for a ceasefire are ongoing, the repeated strikes remind us that the path to peace is fraught with challenges. The horrors of war are felt not just in cities like Kryvyi Rih but resonate globally as civilians bear the brunt of these conflicts.

For more on the Ukraine conflict and international responses, visit BBC News.

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