At least 19 people, including nine children, were killed on Friday when a Russian missile strike hit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih, in what is being described as one of the deadliest attacks of 2025.
According to Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul, the assault also injured 72 people, among them a three-month-old baby. Dozens of apartment blocks, six educational institutions, shops, and businesses were damaged in the attack. Vilkul called it a “tragic evening and night,” describing the strike as a “bloody crime” targeting residential areas and playgrounds.
Ukrainian authorities said Russian forces launched a ballistic missile armed with a cluster warhead, designed to cause maximum casualties over a wide area.
Zelensky’s hometown has been subjected to repeated attacks in recent months. Earlier this month, a strike killed four civilians at a taxi stand.
The US, under President Donald Trump, has been pushing for a rapid resolution to the conflict. However, Ukraine and its allies accuse Russia of deliberately stalling peace negotiations to gain an advantage on the battlefield.
In his nightly address, Zelensky condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. “Many injured, houses damaged. The missile actually hit the area next to residential buildings – a children’s playground, ordinary streets,” he said.
Russia also targeted a power plant in Kherson with a drone strike on Friday, Zelensky added, criticizing Moscow for deliberately attacking critical energy infrastructure despite international agreements to protect such facilities.
Zelensky also criticized the US reaction to the Kryvyi Rih strike. After US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink posted on X expressing horror over the attack but refraining from directly blaming Russia, Zelensky called the response “unpleasantly surprising” and accused the US of weakness.
“They are even afraid to say the word ‘Russian’ when talking about the missile that killed the children,” he said, warning that silence encourages continued aggression from Moscow.
Several European leaders, including British Ambassador Martin Harris and German Ambassador Martin Jaeger, strongly condemned Russia for the strike.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed responsibility, stating the missile targeted a gathering of Ukrainian and Western military officers, reportedly killing 85 servicemen and foreign instructors. CNN has reached out to Ukrainian officials for further comment.
Stalled Peace Talks Amid Rising Frustrations
The attack comes as peace talks remain deadlocked. President Trump recently expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin after Putin rejected a proposal for a full and immediate ceasefire.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that he recently met a Russian envoy, sending a firm message that progress must be made soon. Rubio has also engaged in talks with Ukrainian and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, aiming to revive negotiations.
Although initial agreements were reached last week on pausing attacks in the Black Sea and halting strikes on energy infrastructure, Russia later introduced new demands, including the lifting of sanctions on its banks and exports.
Rubio emphasized that time is running out, stating, “There can’t be talks about talks,” and warned that the window for achieving a breakthrough is closing.
