Russian attack on Ukraine market kills five
Russian attack on Ukraine market kills five
Five civilians were killed in a drone strike targeting a market in southern Ukraine, with 21 others injured, including a 14-year-old girl, according to the prosecutor general’s office. The incident occurred at 09:50 local time (06:50 GMT) in Nikopol, a town situated across the Dnipro River from Russian-occupied territory. The attack has drawn attention to the ongoing conflict, as the region continues to face frequent bombardments.
“The attack resulted in five deaths and 21 injuries, including a 14-year-old girl,” stated the prosecutor general’s office.
Images released by the regional prosecutor depict market stalls in ruins, scattered with debris of metal, glass, and food items. This follows reports of 15 civilian fatalities from drone and missile attacks across Ukraine on Friday. Meanwhile, Ukraine launched a drone and missile assault on the southern Russian city of Taganrog overnight, causing one death and four serious injuries, as per Russian authorities.
“The strike triggered a fire at a logistics firm’s premises,” said regional governor Yuri Slyusar.
A Ukrainian Defense Ministry representative attributed the casualties to “Russian air defense operations.” Kyiv also claimed to have struck a factory in Togliatti, stating it produced components for Russia’s military. Nikopol, a Ukrainian town, has regularly faced bombardment, with nearly half its 100,000 residents evacuating for safety over time.
However, the drones struck during Saturday morning’s peak hours in a bustling area, leading to significant casualties. In a subsequent strike at the same site, two men sustained injuries, the prosecutor noted, while emphasizing the attacks are under review as potential war crimes.
President Zelensky proposed a ceasefire with Russia for the Easter holiday period, yet Moscow has not responded to the offer. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia deployed nearly 300 drones against Ukraine overnight, with casualties recorded in Kharkiv, the northeastern city, and the Sumy region in the north.
“Moscow claimed to have intercepted 85 Ukrainian drones,” stated Moscow’s official communications.
The frequency of Russian daytime strikes, previously uncommon, has risen. This increase coincides with stalled US-led peace efforts since President Donald Trump and his administration redirected attention to the Middle East conflict.
