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Russia's 'terror by design' attack on Ukraine shopping center kills 16, EU says

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Russia launched drone attacks on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, killing 16 people and injuring many others, including children.
  • EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the attack as "terror by design" and vowed to propose new sanctions against Russia.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strike "cynical and despicable" and urged allies to increase pressure on Russia, while another strike in Mykolaiv killed four more people.

Russian drone attacks struck a busy shopping center in Ukraine's central city of Kryvyi Rih, killing at least 16 people and wounding over 130 others, including 23 children. The attack, which occurred on Friday, has been condemned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "cynical and despicable."

terror by design

— Kaja KallasThe EU's foreign policy chief condemned the nature of the Russian attack on the shopping center.

Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy's hometown, was hit by two drones, the second striking the building about half an hour after the first. Zelenskyy suggested the repeat strike targeted emergency responders who were arriving to assist victims. Videos circulating on social media showed rescuers aiding the wounded on the street as smoke billowed from the damaged building.

Russia’s attack against a shopping centre in [Kryvyi Rih] shows the absolute and utter depravity of Moscow’s war.

— Kaja KallasKallas described the attack as a demonstration of Moscow's brutality in the ongoing war.

Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, denounced the attack as "terror by design." She announced plans to propose the most extensive Russian sanctions listings since the war began when EU ministers convene next month. Kallas stated that Russia's actions demonstrate "absolute and utter depravity" and a desire to make Ukrainian cities uninhabitable.

an absolutely cynical and despicable strike ... carried out by the Russians against an ordinary shopping centre

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyThe Ukrainian President condemned the attack on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

In a separate incident, four more people, including three children, were killed in another Russian strike in the southern Mykolaiv region, according to Interior Minister Ivan Vygivsky. President Zelenskyy urged Ukraine's allies to respond with "real pressure on the aggressor" and called for accountability for Russia's actions. He also briefed UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the civilian casualties caused by the strikes. Ukraine continues to appeal for more support from its allies as Russia escalates its bombardments.

The world must respond to them accordingly – with real pressure on the aggressor. For peace to be possible, Russia must face real accountability.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyZelenskyy called for a strong international response and accountability for Russia's actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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