Russian 'double-tap' strike on Ukrainian shopping center kills 16
What's the story
A Russian drone attack on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih, central Ukraine, has left at least 16 dead and over 130 injured. The attack was a "double-tap" strike, with the second wave hitting emergency responders half an hour after the first explosion. "The attack drones struck in two waves: half an hour after the first strike....there was a second strike targeting emergency responders." Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on Telegram, promising a response to what he termed "terrorist acts."
Casualties confirmed
Children among injured
The Dnipropetrovsk regional prosecutor's office confirmed that among those injured were several children, with at least 29 people in serious condition.
Regional military head Oleksandr Hanzha said the death toll had reached 16 after another body was retrieved from the rubble overnight.
Kryvyi Rih Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said the Russian drones were flying at "extremely low altitudes," describing the attackers as "animals."
"There are missing people who are not responding to calls," the mayor said.
Presidential reaction
Zelensky promises response, calls for global accountability
On Friday, Ukraine's military claimed to have carried out strikes on an oil refinery and a military airfield deep within Russia.
In recent months, Ukraine has increased attacks against Russian energy installations as well as warehouses of Wildberries, the country's largest online store.
Kyiv considers them legitimate targets since they help finance Russia's war.
The strike on the mall comes a day after Russia carried out a large attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region, killing at least 17 people.