Russian attack on Ukraine market kills five

Russian Attack on Ukraine Market Kills Five

A drone strike by Russian forces in southern Ukraine left five fatalities and 21 injured, including a 14-year-old girl, according to the prosecutor general’s office. The incident occurred at 09:50 local time (06:50 GMT) in Nikopol, a town bordering the Dnipro River and situated near Russian-occupied territory. Images from the regional prosecutor’s office depict damaged market stalls scattered with metal, glass, and food debris.

Earlier in the week, at least 15 civilians were killed in drone and missile attacks across Ukraine on Friday. A separate strike by Ukraine targeted the southern Russian city of Taganrog, resulting in one death and four serious injuries. The regional governor, Yuri Slyusar, noted that the attack ignited a fire at a logistics company’s premises. A Ukrainian Defence Ministry official attributed the damage to “Russian air defence operations.”

Ukrainian forces also reported hitting a factory in Togliatti, claiming it supplied military equipment to Russia. Nikopol, a town frequently targeted by Russian strikes, has seen nearly half its 100,000 residents flee for safety. The latest attacks, which took place during a bustling morning, caused significant casualties. A second strike on the same location added two more injured individuals, prompting investigations into potential war crimes.

President Zelensky proposed a temporary ceasefire for the Easter holiday period, but Moscow has yet to respond. Ukrainian air force reports indicate Russia launched nearly 300 drones overnight, with casualties also reported in Kharkiv and the Sumy region. Meanwhile, Russian officials claimed to have destroyed 85 Ukrainian drones. The frequency of daytime attacks, once uncommon, has risen sharply, attributed to stalled diplomatic efforts by the U.S. and its shifting focus toward the Middle East.

“These strikes are happening in the heart of a populated area, and the toll is devastating,” said a Ukrainian official. “We are determined to hold Russia accountable for every loss.”