A Russian ballistic missile hit an apartment building in Kryvyi Rih, resulting in 9 fatalities and 29 injuries, including five children. Klymenko confirmed this toll on Wednesday evening after recovery operations concluded at the site, according to Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.
Emergency services shared photos depicting rescue teams navigating heaps of debris and wooden materials to assist those who were injured or deceased.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after the attack, “Every day and every hour, Russian terror proves that Ukraine, together with its partners, should strengthen air defences.” Kryvyi Rih, in southern Ukraine, is Zelenskyy’s hometown.
After the attack, video footage captured rescue workers searching for survivors amidst the ruins. Additionally, he urged Ukraine’s allies to increase the supply of advanced air defense systems to counter Russian airstrikes.
In response to Kyiv’s urgent appeals for additional air defenses amid the intense Russian assault on the northeastern Kharkiv region, the United States has approved sending another Patriot missile system to Ukraine.
This marks the second Patriot system provided by the U.S., with other allies like Germany also contributing air defense systems and munitions.
“Modern air defence systems can provide maximum protection for people, our cities and our positions. And we need them as much as possible,” Zelenskyy said.
Before Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, approximately 635,000 residents inhabited Kryvyi Rih. Throughout the conflict, the city has faced frequent attacks.
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