Russian drones struck a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih, central Ukraine, on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people and injuring many others, according to authorities. These attacks, combined with further strikes in the Mykolaiv and Kharkiv regions, totaled 21 fatalities across Ukraine.
Kryvyi Rih, known as the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, came under a double-tap strike. Zelenskyy explained that drones initially hit the area, followed by a second wave targeting rescue workers. Describing the attack as monstrous, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would respond.
Oleksandr Hanzha, responsible for the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, reported 15 deaths and 130 injuries, including 23 children. Kryvyi Rih has faced repeated attacks throughout the ongoing conflict, notably an incident in April 2025 when 20 individuals, including nine children, lost their lives.
Another Russian drone strike on Friday in Kharkiv resulted in two deaths, while an attack in Mykolaiv killed four, including three children.
The Ukrainian air force stated that during the night, 107 of 135 drones launched by Russia were intercepted. This follows heavy missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, killing 16 people, and previous attacks that have intensified due to Ukraine’s lack of defensive systems.
On the other side, Ukrainian drone strikes hit a car in Russia’s Belgorod region, killing one and injuring four, with severe conditions for two. President Zelenskyy confirmed strikes on Perm’s oil refinery and the Marinovka military airfield in Volgograd.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted numerous Ukrainian drones across Russian regions, including Crimea. The escalation of drone warfare continues as field progress stalls. Ukraine has developed long-range drones to hit Russian targets, aiming to pressure Russia into negotiations, though Putin remains resolute.