Russia's 'Double Tap' Attack in Kryvyi Rih Kills at Least 16 Civilians

Russia carried out one of the deadliest air attacks in recent months in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, on Friday. Drone strikes on a major shopping center in the southern city killed at least 16 people and injured 130, including 23 children. Local authorities reported many of the injured were in critical condition.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the assault as "sheer terror acts" on social media, vowing retaliation. Kryvyi Rih, in the Dnipropetrovsk region, is Zelenskyy's hometown. Evidence suggests Russia intentionally targeted the area during peak hours, with drones striking the complex in two waves. A second attack occurred half an hour after the initial impact, as rescue teams were already on site.

This "double tap" tactic, known for maximizing casualties, is reportedly being increasingly employed by Russia in Ukraine, having been previously associated with Russian air campaigns in Syria. The attack followed a deadly strike in Kyiv two days prior that killed 17 people and injured over 40, and another attack in the Kharkiv region that claimed ten lives on Friday morning. Earlier Friday evening, at least four people were killed near Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine.

The high death tolls in recent attacks are attributed to Russia's extensive use of missiles and guided munitions. While Ukraine often intercepts a majority of drones in combined assaults, most Russian missiles reportedly reach their targets. Ukraine's air defense systems, such as Patriot, are facing ammunition shortages, impacting their ability to intercept these missiles.