Russian attack on Ukraine market kills five
Russian attack on Ukraine market kills five
A drone strike by Russia targeted a market in southern Ukraine, resulting in five fatalities and 21 injuries, among them 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 bordering the Dnipro river and adjacent to Russian-occupied territory. Images from the regional prosecutor depict damaged kiosks scattered with metal, glass, and food remnants.
Following this, at least 15 civilians were killed in drone and missile attacks across Ukraine on Friday. Meanwhile, Ukraine retaliated with an assault on Taganrog, a southern Russian city, overnight, causing one death and four severe injuries. Russia reported that the strike ignited a fire at a logistics company in the city. Yuri Slyusar, the regional governor, stated the attacks were being examined as potential war crimes.
“The attacks are being investigated as a war crime,” said the prosecutor general’s office.
A Ukrainian Defence Ministry official attributed the casualties to “Russian air defence operations.” Kyiv also claimed to have struck a factory in Togliatti, alleging it produced components for Russia’s military. Nikopol, a frequent target, has seen nearly half its 100,000 residents flee for safety over time. The strikes on Saturday, however, occurred in a crowded area, escalating the toll.
President Zelensky proposed a temporary ceasefire for Easter, but Moscow has not responded. The Ukrainian air force reported Russia launched nearly 300 drones overnight, with casualties reported in Kharkiv and the Sumy region. Russia countered by stating it had downed 85 Ukrainian drones. The increase in daytime attacks, previously uncommon, highlights the ongoing escalation.
Efforts to broker peace, spearheaded by the United States, have stalled since President Donald Trump redirected focus to the Middle East conflict. This shift has left the war in Ukraine without significant diplomatic progress, despite the rising toll of attacks on both sides.
