A Russian missile strike hit a shopping center in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. He reported shortly afterwards that more than a thousand civilians were in the complex when the rocket hit. A Ukrainian official spoke of at least two dead and 20 injured, nine of whom were seriously injured.
According to the mayor of Kremenchuk, it is a “very busy” shopping center. Images of a large burning building can be seen on social media.
About the number of victims, Zelensky previously said, “It is impossible to even imagine the number of victims.” Rescuers continue to search for survivors.
Kremenchuk has more than 200,000 inhabitants and is located on the important river Dnieper, which flows from north to south through the middle of Ukraine.
Kharkov, located in the northeast, also suffered several victims on Monday after Russian attacks. As a result, four people died and 19 were injured, the regional governor said.