Russian Airstrike Targets Shopping Centre in Ukraine, Leaving Two Dead and Dozens Injured

The recent air strike on a shopping centre in Ukraine's Donetsk region claims two lives and injures 27 others, prompting condemnation from Ukrainian officials and the US.

In a grim escalation of violence, a Russian air strike on Wednesday evening has resulted in at least two fatalities and left 27 others injured in the eastern Ukrainian town of Dobropillia, according to local officials. The attack targeted a bustling shopping centre and market, damaging over 50 stores, 300 residential apartments, and eight vehicles, highlighted regional governor Vadym Filashkin in a post on Telegram.

Condemning the assault, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized the onslaught as "simply horrific," asserting that there was "no military logic" behind such a strike. Russian authorities have yet to issue a response to the incident.

This act of aggression coincides with a visit from US special envoy Keith Kellogg to Kyiv, who is on a week-long mission to bolster US-Ukrainian relations amid a climate of stalled peace negotiations. Governor Filashkin noted that the airstrike involved a 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) bomb, deployed at a time when the shopping area was crowded with civilians.

Dobropillia, located approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the frontline and northeast of Pokrovsk—an area critical to Russia's extended military efforts in Donetsk—has previously endured attacks since the outset of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. A horrific incident in March resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals, including five children, due to a combination of rocket, drone, and missile strikes.

The United Nations reported that June alone witnessed over 230 civilian deaths across Ukraine—marking the deadliest month of the ongoing conflict. In a related context, US President Donald Trump expressed his growing frustration with the lack of progress toward a ceasefire following recent discussions with NATO chief Mark Rutte, stating his disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s apparent lack of sincerity in negotiations, which have often been followed by increased strikes.

Trump also indicated that the US would supply advanced weaponry to Kyiv through NATO allies, underlining the need for Ukraine to act decisively. This current conflict continues to raise deep concerns over the humanitarian implications, as civilian casualties mount during a time of stalled diplomacy and relief efforts.