Russian strike kills 18 in Ukrainian president's home city

Ongoing strikes on Kryvyi Rig
The attack was part of ongoing strikes on Kryvyi Rig, located in the central Dnipropetrovsk region around 60 kilometers from the front line. The city, which had a pre-war population of about 600,000, has been regularly targeted by Russian drones and missiles.

Damage and casualties
Authorities reported that five apartment blocks were damaged in the latest strike. Videos circulating on social media showed bodies on the ground and smoke rising from the impact site. Emergency services and police cordoned off the area and began documenting the aftermath of what Ukrainian officials described as a war crime.

Russian claims
Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed the missile strike targeted a restaurant where it alleged Ukrainian commanders and Western advisors were meeting. In a separate drone attack on the same day, one person was reported killed and three injured.

Missile details
Ukrainian officials identified the missile as a Russian Iskander, a ballistic system capable of striking targets up to 500 kilometers away. The attack has intensified calls for accountability as the war continues with no clear path to peace.

President Zelensky's response
President Zelensky stated that the strike illustrated Russia’s unwillingness to end its invasion, which began in February 2022. He noted that Moscow continues to reject ceasefire proposals and sees diplomacy as meaningless. His remarks followed the Kremlin’s earlier refusal of a joint US-Ukrainian ceasefire proposal, which Russia has linked to the lifting of Western sanctions.

Humanitarian impact
The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian toll of the war, especially in cities near active combat zones.