At least six people, including a 10-year-old girl and her mother, tragically lost their lives as a result of a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih. The attack, which occurred early on Monday, caused substantial damage to a residential high-rise building and a university.
With 75 others injured, including 25 children, the city’s governor declared a day of mourning for the victims. Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky, has been recurrently targeted by Russian strikes, leading to significant civilian casualties.
Growing Tensions and Continuous Attacks
Kryvyi Rih, a city with a population of 600,000 and President Zelensky’s childhood home, has been under constant threat of Russian strikes. In June, the city witnessed a devastating attack in which 11 people were killed, and 28 others injured as Russia unleashed a “massive missile attack” on civilian buildings.
The latest attack once again targeted residential areas, resulting in numerous hospitalizations, including young children aged four to 17 years.
President Zelensky’s Personal Tragedy
President Zelensky revealed that a pair of missiles struck a residential apartment block and a university building, leaving behind destruction and loss of lives.
The President, who grew up in Kryvyi Rih, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and shared a video showing the complete demolition of a high-rise building, with many residents fortunate enough to escape the blast unharmed.
Rescue operations involving over 350 personnel were carried out, successfully saving 30 people trapped in the debris.
Unwavering Resilience Amid Terror
Despite the horrific attack, President Zelensky remained resolute, stating that acts of terror would not intimidate or weaken Ukraine’s resolve. He pledged to stand strong against the aggressor and vowed that such atrocities would not go unanswered.
Accusations of Genocidal Attacks
Ukrainian officials, including Mykhailo Podolyak, a top adviser to President Zelensky, accused Russia of engaging in “genocidal” attacks on civilians.
They stressed the need for concrete measures, including closing Ukrainian airspace to hostile aircraft through the implementation of missile defense and air defense systems, to deter further attacks on civilian targets.
International Response: The international community has repeatedly condemned Russia’s actions, with Western leaders, including US President Joe Biden, accusing Russia of indiscriminately bombarding areas without military significance.
The United Nations reported a shocking 25,671 civilian casualties since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, a figure likely to be higher due to unreported incidents.
Retaliatory Actions: In response to the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has also been conducting drone attacks on Russian territory. Recently, three Ukrainian drones were reportedly shot down in Moscow, leading to further tensions between the two nations.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin blamed Ukraine for the attack, which caused damage to office buildings but thankfully resulted in no casualties.
Conclusion:
As the conflict intensifies, the devastating attack on Kryvyi Rih serves as a stark reminder of the toll that war takes on innocent civilians. President Zelensky’s resolve to stand firm against such atrocities reflects the unwavering spirit of the Ukrainian people.
The world watches with concern as the violence persists, hoping for a peaceful resolution to end the suffering and loss of innocent lives.
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