Rescue workers in Ukraine are continuing to search through the wreckage of a major shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih after a Russian drone attack killed at least 16 people and injured 130 others.
Four people remain missing following Friday’s attack, with authorities warning that search and rescue operations could continue for another two days because of the scale of the destruction and the continuing threat of further attacks.
Second Drone Hit Emergency Workers
Two drones struck the busy shopping centre in quick succession, according to Ukrainian officials.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as “cynical and despicable”, particularly because the second strike reportedly hit the site while emergency workers were responding to the initial attack.
Dramatic footage verified by the BBC showed the second drone hitting the shopping centre, which was already engulfed in flames.
Russia’s military has not publicly commented on the attack.
Rescue Operation Continues
Dnipropetrovsk regional head Oleksandr Hanzha said rescuers were doing everything possible to accelerate the search for survivors.
Rescue teams from seven other Ukrainian regions were deployed to Kryvyi Rih to assist with the operation.
The huge fire, which covered approximately 9,000 square metres, has now been extinguished, allowing emergency workers to continue searching the damaged structure.
In a later update, Hanzha said 52 injured people, including 14 children, remained in hospitals across the city.
Kryvyi Rih military chief Oleksandr Vilkul said dozens of injured people had already undergone surgery.
A day of mourning is being observed across the Dnipropetrovsk region.
More Attacks Reported Overnight
The deadly strike came amid another exchange of attacks between Russia and Ukraine overnight.
Ukrainian attacks were reported to have killed at least four people in Russia, including two children, while Ukrainian officials said three people were killed by Russian strikes elsewhere in the country.
The latest attacks underscore the continuing intensity of the conflict as both sides carry out long-range drone and missile strikes.
Ukrainian officials said the drones that struck the shopping centre were flying at extremely low altitude, potentially complicating efforts to intercept them.
The attack has also renewed questions about Ukraine’s air-defence capabilities, with Kyiv repeatedly warning that it needs additional advanced systems and interceptor missiles to protect its cities and critical infrastructure.
BBC
