Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on 21/8 that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) attacked in two waves. The first strike caused a fire, and the second attack occurred about 30 minutes later, directly targeting rescue forces. Zelensky condemned the incident as "an act of absolute brutality" and warned that Ukraine "will certainly retaliate".

The Dnipropetrovsk Provincial Prosecutor's Office reported at least 130 injuries, including many children. Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the City Defense Council, added that at least 29 people are in critical condition, including a 14-year-old girl with a head injury and four other children. Rescue forces are currently clearing the scene, while some individuals remain missing and have completely lost contact.

Video analysis by CNN showed a UAV crashing into the burning shopping center in Kryvyi Rih city, Dnipropetrovsk province, exploding and creating a fireball in the air. Vilkul confirmed that many stalls within the center were engulfed in intense flames.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha continued to urge allied nations to provide air defense missiles and impose further sanctions targeting Russia's defense industry. He emphasized that "both Russia's ability to manufacture and its ability to use lethal tools must be eliminated". Russian officials have not yet commented on the attack.

Rescue forces at the shopping center attacked by UAVs in Kryvyi Rih on 21/8. Photo: *Reuters*

Kryvyi Rih, an industrial city about 60 km from the front line, is a frequent target of Russian forces. Russia is intensifying missile attacks on Ukraine as the opposing air defense depletes Patriot ammunition and is nearly defenseless against ballistic missiles. In a coordinated attack on 16/8, Ukraine's largest steel producer, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, was hit by three Russian ballistic missiles and had to cease operations due to damage to critical production facilities.

The United Nations recorded that civilian deaths in the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2026 surged to the highest level since the start of the war. In response, Ukraine's allies are expected to meet early next week to reaffirm their commitment to supporting Kyiv. The "Goodwill Alliance" meeting will be co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. About 10 leaders, including European Council President Antonio Costa, are expected to arrive in Kyiv to participate in the meeting.

Inside the shopping center in Kryvyi Rih after the attack on 21/8. Photo: *Reuters*

At the end of June, Ukraine launched a "40-day pressure campaign", primarily targeting oil refineries, oil depots, logistics centers, and airports. Around 20 warehouses and infrastructure belonging to the retailer Wildberries were also attacked, as Kyiv believes these locations store and supply components for Russian military drones, guidance systems, and other equipment. Russian officials and Wildberries representatives denied the information, criticizing Ukraine for "attacking civilians and civilian structures" in these incidents.

Analysts assess that Kyiv achieved some tactical successes but did not fulfill the campaign's ultimate goal of pressing Moscow to end the war. Conversely, Russia intensified its retaliation with missile and UAV attacks targeting defense facilities producing equipment for Ukraine's operations. A series of transport and logistics infrastructure sites, along with many shopping centers across Ukraine, also became targets, based on the reasoning that these are collection, distribution, and assembly points for medium- and long-range UAV components.

Vu Hoang (According to Reuters, CNN, AFP)