Russian missile strike kills three in Kryvyi Rih

A ballistic missile equipped with a cluster warhead struck a residential area in Kryvyi Rih on Tuesday, killing three people and injuring 25 others. The attack, which hit the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has prompted a renewed demand from Kyiv for accelerated international air defense support.

Editorial·June 23, 2026·reads: 1,150

Russian missile strike kills three in Kryvyi Rih

Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city's defense council, confirmed that the fatalities occurred within a 200-meter radius, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the cluster munitions used. City authorities have declared Wednesday a day of mourning to honor the victims. While regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha noted that industrial infrastructure also sustained damage during the strike, the immediate human toll remains the primary focus of local officials.

President Zelenskiy characterized the casualties as a direct consequence of delayed defensive supplies, urging global partners to expedite agreements to shield Ukrainian civilians. Russia maintains its official position that it does not target civilian populations, despite frequent reports of strikes on urban centers throughout the ongoing conflict.