A devastating Russian missile strike has hit a residential building in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, killing at least 26 people, including six children. The attack, which occurred as part of a wider escalation, comes amid stark warnings from Moscow against proposed European peacekeeping forces and fresh alerts of imminent large-scale Russian air assaults.
Civilian Tragedy in President's Hometown
Ukrainian emergency services worked through the aftermath of the strike on the apartment block in Kryvyi Rih, located in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The State Emergency Service confirmed the death toll of 26 people, with six of the victims being children. In addition to the tragic loss of life, the assault damaged 29 apartment buildings and disrupted water supplies after hitting local pumping stations.
This attack formed part of a broader Russian offensive targeting Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure. Overnight drone attacks plunged two south-eastern regions into near-total blackout, affecting nearly 500,000 households in Dnipropetrovsk alone. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba stated that more than 1.7 million households across Ukraine faced water supply problems due to the coordinated strikes.
Kremlin's Stark Warning to the West
The tragedy unfolded against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions. The Kremlin issued a severe warning in response to discussions among European leaders about deploying a multinational stabilisation force to Ukraine after a potential peace deal. Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, denounced the plan as "dangerous" and "destructive," accusing Kyiv's allies of forming an "axis of war."
She explicitly stated that any such NATO units would be considered "legitimate military targets for the Russian armed forces," echoing previous threats made by President Vladimir Putin. This position was underscored by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who noted that a ceasefire remains "quite far" away without Russia's consent.
Ukraine Braces for Further Attacks
Ukrainian authorities are on high alert for further large-scale assaults. The US embassy in Kyiv warned of a "potentially significant air attack" that could occur within days. President Zelenskyy echoed this concern in an evening address, urging citizens to heed air raid sirens. His warning proved prescient, as Russian drones attacked Kyiv early on Friday, triggering fires and injuring at least four people.
In a significant countermove, Ukrainian forces targeted energy installations in Russia's Belgorod region, causing a major internet connectivity disruption described by monitoring group NetBlocks as "one of the most effective infrastructure strikes by Ukraine since the start of the war."
Political Repercussions and Economic Realities
The war's ripple effects extended into British politics, where Reform UK leader Nigel Farage faced criticism after stating he would vote against any UK government plan to deploy troops to Ukraine for peacekeeping. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden accused him of "parroting Kremlin lines" and casting doubt on his commitment to national security.
Meanwhile, an analysis revealed that European governments continue to financially support the Kremlin's war effort, with Russia earning an estimated €7.2bn from liquefied natural gas exports to the EU last year. Despite a pledge to ban these imports by 2027, significant volumes continue to flow from Siberia to European ports.
As the conflict approaches day 1,416, the attack on Kryvyi Rih underscores the grim human cost and the complex international dimensions of a war with no end in sight. The international community faces continued challenges in balancing support for Ukraine with the dire threats of further escalation from Moscow.
