In brief
In a catastrophic drone attack on a market in southern Ukraine, five individuals lost their lives while 21 others were injured, including a 14-year-old girl. This incident took place in Nikopol, near the Dnipro river, mirroring the increasing violence in the area amidst Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia. The attack, marked by significant destruction, raises alarms about civilian safety and potential war crimes.
A Russian drone attack on a market in southern Ukraine has killed five people and injured 21, including a 14-year-old girl, according to the prosecutor general's office. The shocking attack occurred at 09:50 local time in the town of Nikopol, which lies across the Dnipro river from areas occupied by Russia since its military incursion. Images released by the regional prosecutor depict the havoc wrought upon the market, with kiosks shattered and debris scattered across the ground.This attack comes on the heels of a devastating series of strikes across Ukraine, where at least 15 civilians were reported killed on the preceding Friday. In retaliation, Ukrainian forces launched a drone and missile strike on the southern Russian city of Taganrog, claiming one casualty and injuring several others. Ukrainian officials attributed the injuries to ongoing Russian air defense operations.Distressingly, Nikopol is often targeted in assaults, with nearly half of its original population of 100,000 having relocated in search of safety. The latest drone strikes occurred in a crowded setting on a Saturday morning, exacerbating the tragedy with a high number of casualties. The prosecutor’s office announced that two men were also injured in a subsequent strike at the same market, leading to investigations into these attacks as potential war crimes.In light of these events, Ukrainian President Zelensky made a proposal for a truce during the Easter holidays, though Moscow has yet to respond. Russia's military continues to ramp up drone assaults, with reports of nearly 300 drones deployed overnight, signaling a stark escalation in the violence that has become increasingly prevalent during the daytime. As the conflict persists and efforts for peace remain stalled, the humanitarian crisis deepens.
