In brief
Russian forces blitzed Kryvyi Rih’s main shopping centre twice, killing at least 15, injuring 130 and trapping victims amid burning debris. President Zelensky called the daytime attack cynical and despicable, and local officials reported emergency workers were also targeted. Ukrainian rescue teams from several regions were hastily deployed as the mayor described the drones as “animals.” The incident is part of a broader pattern of Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine.
At least 15 people have been killed in a Russian double‑tap drone strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih’s main shopping centre, local officials confirmed on 21 August 2026. The attack, carrying out in two waves, also left 130 people injured, including 23 children, and trapped a number of survivors in the rubble. Rescue crews from four other Ukrainian regions have been dispatched on an urgent mission to search for survivors.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the daytime strike was "absolutely cynical and despicable" and condemned the second wave that hit emergency workers on the scene. The drone footage, verified by BBC correspondent Papri Baksi, shows the second strike hitting a burning building amid the city’s biggest mall.
Kryvyi Rih Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul described the drones as flying at "extremely low altitudes" and even called them "animals". The mayor also reported missing people who were not responding to calls. He added that the violence had trapped people in rubble, posing a long‑term challenge for evacuation and medical aid.
In the broader context, the attack comes after a series of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including a major assault on Kyiv earlier this week that killed 17 people and wounded more than 40. Russian forces continue to target southern and eastern Ukrainian regions, prompting Ukrainian authorities to respond with strikes on Russian infrastructure.
For a visual of the devastation, see the photo below of smoke lifting from the mall after the attack.
Specially trained psychologists and emergency responders are already on the scene, offering psychological aid to survivors while rescuers sift through collapsed structures. As Ukraine continues to endure attacks, the international community watches while local authorities work to restore safety and assistance to the affected communities.
