Fatal Russian Missile Strike in Kryvyi Rih Leaves Four Dead

In a tragic incident late Wednesday, a Russian missile hit a hotel in Kryvyi Rih, a central city in Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 32 others. Rescue operations continued into Thursday morning as emergency services searched for any remaining victims trapped beneath the debris.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that a group of humanitarian volunteers from Ukraine, the United States, and Britain were present at the hotel just before the missile strike but managed to take shelter in time, thus avoiding casualties. Kryvyi Rih, the president's hometown, has been frequently targeted since the onset of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.

In a statement on social media, the president expressed his condolences and reiterated the urgent need for continued pressure on Russia to cease its aggression. "We must not pause in putting pressure on Russia to stop this war and terror against life," he stated.

According to Ukraine's Emergency Services, 19 individuals were successfully rescued from the wreckage. Images released showed rescue teams navigating through the rubble of the five-story building, which, after the fire was extinguished, displayed significant structural damage, particularly on the upper floors. Among the injured were two children.

In a broader context, Ukraine's military reported that Russian forces had launched two ballistic missiles, including the one that struck Kryvyi Rih, along with a total of 112 drones aimed at various targets across Ukraine overnight. In the northeastern city of Sumy, a drone attack on a postal depot resulted in a large fire, claiming one life and destroying the facility along with over 2,500 parcels. Visuals shared by the postal service owner depicted the devastated warehouse, now reduced to rubble and charred items.

Additionally, drone strikes targeted energy infrastructure in the southern Odesa region, injuring two individuals and leading to significant damage. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy provider, reported that this marked the fifth attack on its facilities within a fortnight. The company highlighted the ongoing disruption of energy services in the Odesa region, stating that approximately 10,000 households were without power. Efforts are underway to restore service as quickly as possible.

The Russian military's sustained campaign of strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure has resulted in frequent power outages across the nation, exacerbating the humanitarian situation amid the ongoing conflict.