Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged retaliation following a Russian drone strike on a shopping center in his hometown of Kryvyi Rih, which killed at least 16 people and injured more than 130. Nine others remain missing following the Friday attack.
Oleksandr Hanzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, stated that 22 children were wounded and two are still missing. As of Saturday, 52 individuals, including 14 children, were receiving hospital treatment, with 29 in serious condition.
Kryvyi Rih Mayor Oleksandr Vikul described the perpetrators as "animals" and noted that some missing individuals were unresponsive to calls. A search and rescue operation, complicated by the scale of destruction and the threat of further attacks, was expected to continue for two more days.
President Zelensky characterized the strike as "cynical and despicable," asserting that Russia is solely responsible for prolonging the war and deserves "all retaliatory strikes and pressure." He indicated that Ukraine's response would be "tangible" and involve intelligence agencies, political cooperation, and sanctions.
In what appeared to be a retaliatory action, Ukrainian drones reportedly struck three targets within Russia overnight Saturday. These strikes included a logistics warehouse belonging to Ozon, Russia's second-largest online marketplace, and an oil refinery in the same region. An airbase in occupied Crimea was also targeted.
Meanwhile, Zelensky is preparing to join the Coalition of the Willing in Paris on Monday to discuss post-ceasefire security guarantees. Western intelligence assessments indicate that North Korea has provided more than 8,500 troops to Russia, including approximately 400 drone operators, with reports suggesting Putin may seek an additional 50,000 troops.
Zelensky reiterated calls for increased air defense support from international partners, specifically requesting ballistic missile interceptors. "Every day that Ukraine lacks sufficient air defense means casualties that could have been prevented," he stated on X, emphasizing that "Protecting lives requires daily decisions and effective support from the world."