Key Points:
- Deadly Attack: A Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown, killed 19 people, including nine children, and injured 68 others.
- Targeted Residential Areas: The attack struck near a children’s playground, residential buildings, and educational institutions, causing widespread devastation.
- Ceasefire Hopes Dashed: The strike has further strained peace efforts led by the Trump administration, with Ukraine accusing Russia of deliberately sabotaging diplomacy.
KYIV: In one of the deadliest attacks of the year, a Russian ballistic missile struck Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine on Friday evening, killing 19 people, including nine children, and injuring 68 others. The missile hit residential areas near a children’s playground and several apartment buildings, leaving the city in mourning. Emergency responders worked through the night to rescue survivors from the rubble.
The attack occurred as global efforts to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine were underway. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as a deliberate act of terror aimed at civilians. “These strikes cannot be accidental. Russia knows exactly what it is targeting,” Zelensky said in his evening address.
Devastation and Casualties
Local authorities reported significant damage to residential buildings, schools, and shops. Among the injured were 12 children and a three-month-old infant. Five apartment buildings collapsed in the blast, and unverified videos circulating on social media showed bodies lying near playgrounds and smoke billowing from destroyed structures.
Oleksandr Vilkul, head of Kryvyi Rih’s military administration, described the attack as “another horrific crime by the terrorist nation.” Days of mourning have been declared in the city for April 7–9.
Russia’s Justification
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed responsibility for the strike but described it as a “precision attack” targeting a meeting of Ukrainian commanders and Western military instructors at a restaurant in Kryvyi Rih. They alleged that up to 85 Ukrainian and foreign servicemen were killed in the strike.
Ukraine dismissed these claims as propaganda, accusing Russia of spreading false information to justify its attacks on civilian areas. “This is nothing less than mass murder,” said Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak.
Ceasefire Efforts Falter
The attack has dealt a severe blow to ongoing ceasefire negotiations led by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump had vowed to expedite an end to the three-year conflict but has struggled to bring both sides to an agreement. Recent talks focused on halting attacks on civilian infrastructure and energy facilities have made little progress.
Zelensky accused Russia of using diplomacy as a smokescreen while escalating its military campaign. “Every Russian promise ends with missiles or drones,” he said. European leaders echoed his sentiments, with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna calling the attack “brutal proof” that Russia seeks war, not peace.
Global Reactions
The international community has strongly condemned the attack:
- European Leaders: Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans called for accelerated support for Ukraine, while Czech Foreign Affairs Minister Jan Lipavsky labeled the strike “barbarism.”
- United Nations: UN officials expressed concern over escalating violence and urged both sides to prioritize civilian safety.
- United States: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire but acknowledged that trust between the parties remains low.
Kryvyi Rih: A Frequent Target
Kryvyi Rih has been repeatedly targeted since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Earlier this month, four civilians were killed in a missile strike on a taxi lot in the city. Friday’s attack marks an escalation in Russia’s use of ballistic missiles equipped with cluster warheads, which are designed to maximize casualties over large areas.
Zelensky’s Plea for Action
President Zelensky urged the international community to increase pressure on Moscow following the attack. “The entire world is witnessing this,” he said. “Each missile and every attack drone is evidence that Russia desires nothing but war.”
Despite these appeals, progress toward peace remains elusive. Analysts believe Russia is stalling negotiations to gain leverage on the battlefield while Ukraine continues to push for stronger Western support.
The deadly missile strike on Kryvyi Rih underscores the human cost of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and highlights the challenges facing global peace efforts. As ceasefire talks falter, both sides appear entrenched in their positions, leaving civilians to bear the brunt of this protracted war. With international condemnation mounting, all eyes are now on whether diplomacy can prevail amid escalating violence.
