Russian Missile Strike Kills 18 in Ukraine, Including 9 Children/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has killed 18 people, including nine children, and injured 61 others. President Zelenskyy condemned the attack, calling it evidence of Russia’s refusal to end the war. Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting 51 drones in a separate wave of attacks overnight.
Ukraine Missile Strike Kills 18, Including Children – Quick Looks
- Missile strike hits Kryvyi Rih, killing 18, including 9 children
- 61 people injured, including infants and elderly; 40 remain hospitalized
- Strike destroyed homes, a school building, restaurant, and vehicles
- Russia claims target was a military meeting, Ukraine denies the allegation
- Zelenskyy calls for stronger Western support, denounces Russia’s war tactics
- Drone strike followed hours later, killing 1 and wounding 7 more
- Ukraine intercepts 51 out of 92 drones, dozens of decoys also fail
- First drone strike in occupied Donetsk region, 28 Ukrainian drones shot down
Russian Missile Strike Kills 18 in Ukraine, Including 9 Children
Deep Look
The death toll from a devastating Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has climbed to 18, including nine children, Ukrainian officials confirmed on Saturday. The latest figures were shared by Serhii Lysak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, who also reported that 61 others were injured, ranging from a 3-month-old baby to elderly residents.
Of those injured, 40 remain hospitalized, including two children in critical condition and 17 people in serious condition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who hails from Kryvyi Rih, condemned the strike and mourned the loss of innocent lives.
“The missile struck near residential buildings — a playground and ordinary streets,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. “There can never be forgiveness for this.”
Local officials said the missile attack caused significant damage to infrastructure, destroying or damaging over 20 apartment buildings, 30 vehicles, an educational facility, and a restaurant.
Russia Claims Military Target — Ukraine Denies It
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the strike was a precision attack on a location where Ukrainian unit commanders and Western military instructors were meeting. According to their statement, the strike allegedly killed 85 personnel, including foreigners, and destroyed 20 vehicles.
However, the Ukrainian General Staff dismissed the Russian claims, stating the strike hit civilian infrastructure, not military targets. The Russian allegations could not be independently verified.
Secondary Drone Strike Adds to Tragedy
Later the same day, a drone strike on Kryvyi Rih killed one woman and wounded seven others, intensifying the impact on a community already devastated by missile fire.
Zelenskyy renewed calls for the West to step up military aid and air defense systems, saying Russia’s continued strikes demonstrate its commitment to total war rather than peace.
“Every missile, every drone proves Russia wants only war,” Zelenskyy said. “The U.S., Europe, and the world must pressure Russia to stop.”
Ukraine Faces Drone Onslaught Overnight
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 92 drones overnight, 51 of which were intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses. Additionally, 31 decoy drones failed to hit their targets.
Elsewhere in the conflict, Moscow-installed Governor Denis Pushilin said one person died in the Russian-occupied town of Horlivka in the Donetsk region due to Ukrainian shelling.
Russian state media reported that 28 Ukrainian drones were downed over the Donetsk region overnight. Officials noted this marked the first time the region had been hit by such long-range drone strikes, signaling a new phase in Ukraine’s counteroffensive strategy.
Human Toll and International Outcry
The missile and drone strikes have once again highlighted the severe human cost of the war. Zelenskyy’s call for stronger support reflects growing frustration with the slow pace of Western military deliveries, particularly advanced air defense systems capable of repelling large-scale drone and missile barrages.
The attack on Kryvyi Rih follows a pattern of recent escalations in central and eastern Ukraine, as Russia attempts to regain momentum on the battlefield. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s ability to counter these strikes with interceptors remains limited, prompting repeated appeals to allies.
“We need more systems to protect our skies,” said a senior Ukrainian defense official. “We’re defending not just Ukraine, but Europe.”
As the war drags into its third year, both sides are escalating operations — with Ukraine launching longer-range drone strikes into occupied territory and Russia continuing to target civilian centers.
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