The rescue operation in the building, some of which was severely damaged by the fire that broke out, was still running in the evening. So far, the Ukrainian authorities have confirmed 13 dead and at least 50 injured. But far more victims are feared. Zelenskyj: “It is impossible to even imagine the number of victims.”
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the shopping center was hit by Kh-22 anti-ship missiles launched from Russia’s Kursk region. The “Guardian” reported that due to the range, they must have been missiles, which are usually programmed with the location of the target before they are launched.
“No military objects” nearby
Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko told the BBC that “there were no military objects” near the mall. In the immediate vicinity of the shopping center there are several industrial plants, including a factory for road construction machinery. According to Ukraine’s Security Council Secretary Olexey Danilov, a second missile hit a local sports stadium.
Before the start of the war, the industrial city had almost 220,000 inhabitants. The country’s largest oil refinery is located here. The city had already been the target of several rocket attacks, but nothing like Monday’s attack.
“Crimes once morest humanity”
“The rocket fire from Kremenchuk hit a busy place unrelated to the fighting,” the city’s mayor Vitaly Maletsky posted on Facebook. Russia committed a war crime by attacking the mall, Poltava region chief Dmytro Lunin said. It is a “crime once morest humanity”.
The heads of state and government of the G-7 countries also made a statement in the evening: “We strongly condemn the heinous attack on a shopping center in Kremenchuk. We will not rest until Russia ends its brutal and senseless war once morest Ukraine,” they said in a joint statement on Twitter.
“The world is appalled by Russia’s missile attack today that hit a busy mall,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The US would continue to support Ukraine and hold those responsible for the atrocities accountable.
UN Security Council deliberations
At the request of Ukraine, the UN Security Council will deal with the attack on the shopping center on Tuesday evening (CEST). British Prime Minister Boris Johnson accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of “abject cruelty and barbarism”. However, Putin’s only effect is to strengthen the determination of Great Britain and the other G-7 countries to support Ukraine “for as long as necessary”. France also condemned the attack on the mall.
EU Council President Charles Michel spoke of a “terribly indiscriminate” Russian missile attack. However, he was convinced that Russia’s intimidation tactics would not work. There was initially no comment from Russia. The government in Moscow denies intentionally targeting civilians. Some of the information cannot be independently verified.
Zelenskyj asks for air defense systems and ammunition
The attack took place just a few hours following Zelenskyj videoed the G-7 meeting at Schloss Elmau in Bavaria. According to negotiating circles, he had once more asked for air defense systems and ammunition there. He also warned of a difficult situation if the war was not ended before winter.
Meanwhile, the G-7 countries imposed further punitive measures once morest Moscow, for example once morest military production and supply chains. The United States, in coordination with the G-7 countries, would impose sanctions on hundreds of other people and institutions and levy punitive tariffs on Russian products, the White House said. The final statement said that new ways would continue to be sought to isolate Russia from participation in the world market.