The Kremlin carried out a devastating airstrike against the Ukrainian president’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih the day after Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that war was returning to Russia after an attempted drone strike on Moscow.
A school and residential tower in the Ukrainian city’s center were hit by two ballistic missiles, resulting in at least six fatalities, including a 5-year-old girl, and numerous injuries.
Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Ruins in Kryvyi Rih
More than 350 people, according to Zelensky, were part of the rescue effort. As of Monday afternoon, rescue workers were still looking for survivors beneath the rubble.
Before the missiles struck and severely damaged two buildings, residents claimed there were no air raid sirens. Some claimed that they had little time to run for safety. Balaba claimed that their apartment’s windows had all been broken, and there was widespread damage.
Why Russia chose to target Kryvyi Rih is unknown. According to Ukrainian officials, there are no close military targets. Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the neighborhood defense committee, referred to the bombardment as a terrorist strike.
In June, a similar strike by Russia on the city resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals. The situation at Kryvyi Rih has not been addressed by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Despite a preponderance of evidence to the contrary, Moscow has consistently denied targeting civilian facilities.
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Ukraine’s Escalation in Moscow
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu declared on Monday that the Kremlin will step up its attacks in retaliation for Kyiv’s failed drone attacks against Moscow the day before, which had damaged a commercial and retail complex in the capital’s western suburbs.
After a few hours, Zelensky declared that Ukraine is getting stronger, and the war is gradually returning to Russia’s territory, to its symbolic centers and military bases.
According to a spokeswoman for the Ukrainian Air Force, Kiev was aiming for Moscow to shock Russians who believed the battle was far off since the invasion started in February 2022.
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