Zelenskyy slams ‘weak’ U.S. reply to Russian strike on his hometown

Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih kills 18, including 9 children; Zelenskyy urges allies to pressure Moscow.

The death toll from a Russian missile strike in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has risen to 18, including nine children, regional governor Serhii Lysak said Saturday (April 5, 2025).

A further 72 people were injured in Friday’s (April 4, 2025) attack, ranging from a 3-month-old baby to elderly residents. Approximately half of those wounded remain in hospital, with 17 in serious condition.

“There can never be forgiveness for this,” said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city’s defense council. “Eternal memory to the victims.”

Kryvyi Rih is the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“The missile struck an area right next to residential buildings — hitting a playground and ordinary streets,” Mr. Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.

Local authorities said the strike damaged about 20 apartment buildings, more than 30 vehicles, an educational building and a restaurant.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed Friday (April 4, 2025) that it had carried out a high-precision missile strike with a high explosive warhead on a restaurant where a meeting with unit commanders and Western instructors was taking place.