Official: Russian missile strike hits a crowded shopping mall

Ukraine, Slovyansk (AP) — Many civilians killed According to Ukrainian officials who were at risk of being killed, they were injured in a Russian missile attack at a crowded shopping mall in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk on Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quoted in a telegram report that there were more than 1,000 civilians inside at the time of the attack, and the number of victims was "It's unimaginable," he said. Images of the scene showed a huge eruption of black smoke from a burning shopping center as paramedics rushed in and saw spectators suffering.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said at least 20 civilians were injured, two of whom died.

Zelenskyy said the target was "no threat to the Russian army" and "no strategic value". He accused Russia of "interfering with people's attempts to lead a normal life and making the occupiers very angry."

The alleged Russian missile attack was a reaction to the attack that caused many civilian casualties in the early stages of the war. In April, at least 59 people died at a station in eastern Kramatorsk.

"Russia continues to be powerless to the general public. It makes no sense to expect dignity and humanity," Zelensky said.

Mayor Vitaliy Maletskiy told Facebook that the attack "struck a very crowded area, which is 100% certain that there is no connection to the military."

According to the local governor, when Russia launched a full-scale attack on the last Ukrainian fortress in Luhansk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, "burning" the city of Lysychansik from the ground and air. An attack was made.

Recently, after expelling Ukrainian troops from the neighboring city of Sibelodnetsk, Russian troops appeared to have stepped up long-range strikes on the country.

Meanwhile, Western leaders have promised solid support for Kyiv. According to Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of the military alliance, NATO will provide Ukraine with additional military assistance, including secure communications and anti-drone systems, when its leaders gather in Spain for the summit. agree.

The battle between Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk is part of an enhanced Russian attack to rob Ukraine of the wider Donbas region.

Meanwhile, on the west, the mayor of the city of Slovyansk (potentially the next major battlefield) said he fired cluster munitions into the city after dawn.

Authorities said the number of dead and injured has not yet been confirmed. The Associated Press saw one dead: a man's body sat on a car door sill, and his blood collected on the ground from a wound on his chest and head.

A blast blew most of the windows in the surrounding apartments, cars parked underneath, and broken glass scattered on the ground.

"Now everything is destroyed. We are the only ones living in this part of the building. We have no power," said local resident Valentina Witkovska in tears about the blast. talked. "I can't even call to tell others what happened to us."

Overall, Zelensky's office has been in Ukraine in the last 24 hours. At least six civilians were killed and 31 were injured as part of a violent Russian bombardment of various cities in Ukraine (including Kieu and major cities). South and east of the country, but not counting attacks in Kremenchuk.

Russian troops fired rockets, killing two people and injuring five in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city and its suburbs, and continued to target Odesa's main south port. It is about. The missile attack destroyed homes and injured six people, including children, he said.

In Lysychans'k, at least five skyscrapers and the last road bridge in the city have been damaged in the past day, the governor said. The important highway connecting the city and the territory owned by the southern government was blocked by artillery.

The prewar population of this city is about 100,000, about one-tenth of which remains.

According to analysts, Lysychans'k is located on the banks of the Donets River, which is of great benefit to Ukrainian defenders.

"It's very difficult to break. Russians could spend months and a lot of effort to attack Lysychans'k," said military analyst Ole Zhdanov.

In another development, in the Bavarian Alps, Germany, the leaders of a group of seven countries promised to continue to support Ukraine "as long as necessary".

In a joint statement on Monday after holding a videolink session with Zelenskyy, leaders said, "Unwavering commitment to support government and Ukrainian people in the courageous defense of their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, the United States appears ready to respond to calls for strengthening Zelensky's air defense system after Russian troops attacked Kieu with a long-range missile on Sunday. rice field. Washington was expected to announce the purchase of an advanced surface-to-air missile system for Ukraine.

The British Defense Ministry said Russia is more likely to rely on reserves in the coming weeks of war.

Analysts said Russia's convocation of reserves could significantly change the balance of the war, but could have political implications for President Vladimirputin's government.