Russian ballistic missile strike on Kryvyi Rih claimed lives of 18, including 9 children and left over 60 injured

At least 18 people, including nine children, were killed and 61 injured when Russia launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile at a residential neighborhood in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, on April 4. The strike caused extensive damage and fires, hitting buildings near a playground, according to city and regional officials. More than 40 victims remain hospitalized, among them a three-month-old infant suffering from shrapnel wounds.

In response to the strike, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed it had targeted a gathering of Ukrainian military commanders and foreign instructors, allegedly killing up to 85 personnel and destroying military vehicles. Ukraine’s General Staff dismissed the claim as “false information,” emphasizing that the missile struck a civilian area. “Russia is again spreading false information,” it said, labeling the Kremlin’s statement a cover-up for what they described as a war crime.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose hometown is Kryvyi Rih, condemned the attack, saying it was more proof that Russia does not want peace. Despite partial ceasefire agreements mediated by the U.S.—including a truce on energy infrastructure and Black Sea hostilities—Russia has continued to launch deadly strikes on civilian areas. Kyiv maintains that these ongoing attacks undermine the credibility of Moscow’s stated interest in peace negotiations and highlight the need for stronger international pressure.

Russians launched another strike on Kryvyy Rih just hours after the f deadly attack earlier, killing 1 and injuring 5

Russia launched a second attack on Kryvyi Rih late on April 4, striking the city with drones just hours after a deadly missile assault. Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak confirmed that the drone strike caused a fire in a residential area, killing a woman in her home and injuring at least five civilians. The attack also caused significant damage to homes and civilian infrastructure, according to local officials.

Earlier that same day, an Iskander-M missile strike on Kryvyi Rih killed 18 people and wounded 61 others, including nine children. A playground was located near the blast site, and over 40 victims remain hospitalized. President Volodymyr Zelensky, a native of Kryvyi Rih, condemned the ongoing attacks, saying they expose Russia’s disregard for peace and its continued targeting of civilians despite international efforts to broker a ceasefire.

Zelensky emphasized that Russia's pattern of violence proves it is not serious about ending the war. “Every Russian promise ends with missiles or drones, bombs or artillery,” he said. "Diplomacy means nothing to them. That’s why pressure is needed—sufficient pressure on Russia so they feel the consequences of every lie of theirs, every strike, every single day they take lives and prolong the war."

Russian drone deliberately struck thermal power plant in Kherson - Zelensky

On April 4, Russian forces launched an FPV drone strike on the Kherson Thermal Power Plant, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported. The attack was part of a larger overnight assault that included 78 drones, 56 of which were Shahed drones, according to Zelenskyy’s nightly address. The strike caused further damage to Ukraine's already fragile energy infrastructure and came despite a supposed partial ceasefire on targeting energy facilities.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the attack was clearly intentional, noting that Russia is fully aware of the nature of these energy facilities. He said the strike violated Russia’s promises to the U.S. to avoid such targets. “These are not accidents,” Zelenskyy said, underscoring that facilities like the Kherson thermal power plant must be protected under international commitments.

Reiterating a message he has voiced frequently in recent days, Zelenskyy said the continued assaults reveal the Kremlin’s disregard for diplomacy. “Every Russian promise ends with missiles or drones, bombs or artillery,” he said. “Diplomacy means nothing to them. That’s why pressure is needed—sufficient pressure on Russia so they feel the consequences of every lie of theirs, every strike, every single day they take lives and prolong the war.”