11 Ukrainian Civilians Killed In Russian Missile Attack On President Zelensky's Hometown

The impact of Russian airstrikes on Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons/National Police of Ukraine)

Eleven civilians were killed in a Russian missile attack that hit an apartment and warehouse building in Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown on Tuesday, according to local officials.

Emergency services said four people died in apartment blocks and seven people in warehouses, where officials said a private company was storing items such as soft drinks. Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said none of the targets had ties to the military.

As many as 25 people were injured, two of whom suffered severe burns and were in critical condition, chief doctor of one hospital in Kryvyi Rih told reporters.

Residents cry outside the burning apartment block, where smoke billowing after the early hours of the attack on the city of central Ukraine.

Olha Chernousova, who lives in a five-story apartment block, said she was awakened by an explosion that sounded like thunder and was thrown out of her bed by a blast wave.

"I ran to the front door, but it was very hot... the smoke was very thick," he said.

"What can I do? I sat on the balcony, afraid of losing consciousness. Nobody has come for a long time... I think I should jump into a tree," he said.

Surrounded, the road and yard are filled with glass and bricks. At least five cars were shattered.

Meanwhile, Ihor Lavrenenko, who lives in another part of the building, said he heard two explosions.

"I woke up from the first explosion, the weak, and went straight to the balcony. Then the second erupted overhead, I watched from my balcony as hot debris fell," he said.

Separately, President Zelensky, who was born in Kryvyi Rih, condemned the attack on his hometown.

"Russian killers continue their war on residential buildings, ordinary cities, and people," he wrote on the messaging app Telegram.

"Terrorists will never be forgiven, and they will be held accountable for every missile they launch," President Zelensky stressed.

It is known that Russia has repeatedly hit cities across Ukraine since the massive invasion in February 2022, but has denied targeting civilians. Moscow also accused Ukraine of cross-border shootings, when Kyiv carried out a retaliatory operation.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's military command said air defenses had destroyed 10 of the 14 cruise missiles, and one of the four Iranian-made drones, which were fired at Ukraine overnight.