A Russian missile strike on Friday killed at least 16 people, including six children, in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, according to Ukrainian officials. Over 50 others were injured, and more than 30 people, including a three-month-old baby, were hospitalized.
The missile hit a residential area in Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukrainian emergency services reported that five apartment buildings were damaged and fires broke out. Videos shared online showed bodies on the ground, including near a playground, and smoke rising from buildings.
Ukrainian officials said the strike involved a ballistic missile with cluster munitions. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, said the missile targeted only civilian infrastructure.
“This was a Russian missile on an ordinary city,” President Zelenskyy said on Telegram. “In an area with residential buildings.” He called the attack part of Russia’s ongoing refusal to stop the war and urged allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said the strike hit a meeting of Ukrainian commanders and Western military advisers in a restaurant. It claimed the attack killed up to 85 military personnel and destroyed 20 vehicles. Ukraine denied that any military site was involved.
The attack came as U.S. and European officials pushed for a ceasefire. U.S. President Donald Trump has led talks aiming to stop the war, which began with Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukraine says it agreed to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. Russia rejected the proposal and accused Ukraine of striking Russian energy sites. On Friday, Ukrainian officials said Russian drones attacked a thermal power plant in Kherson.
The Kryvyi Rih strike followed a drone attack in Kharkiv late Thursday that killed five civilians and injured 34. Ukrainian officials say Russia is increasing attacks to strengthen its position in negotiations.
At a NATO meeting in Brussels, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the attack showed Russia does not want peace. “We must pressure Russia into peace,” he said.
Western leaders also criticized Russia’s stance. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said President Putin was “dragging his feet.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Russia’s intentions would become clear “very soon.”
Kirill Dmitriev, a Kremlin envoy visiting Washington, said talks were moving forward but would “take some time.” He claimed the media and Western politicians were distorting Russia’s position.
Russia continues to deny targeting civilians. But thousands of non-combatants have been killed since the war began.
Zelenskyy repeated his call for stronger international pressure on Moscow. “Every missile, every drone strike proves Russia wants only war,” he said.
