Day of Devastation: Understanding the Kryvyi Rih Explosion

Day of Devastation: Understanding the Kryvyi Rih Explosion

The Unraveling of the Event

A sudden explosion, followed by a series of events, unraveled in the city of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. As per reports, the city had been the target of Russian drones and missiles. Reports started to flood in on the morning of September 11, when a group of strike drones was allegedly heading toward the city. Shortly after, Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the city’s military administration reported explosions in Kryvyi Rih. Within hours, missiles were reported to be heading at high speed in the direction of the city.

As per the governor, Serhii Lysak, the authorities held back from providing official information until the air raid alert was over. The city had previously suffered a missile strike by Russian forces on September 8, which targeted a police station, leading to the death of a police officer. The strike also resulted in at least 74 injuries, including nine law enforcement officers.

The Aftermath

In the aftermath of the explosion, at least six people were reported dead with more than 30 wounded. A multi-story residential building was among the civilian infrastructure hit during the attack. As per the governor, “A five-storey building got destroyed. According to initial reports, three of its residents died. 25 people were injured,”. The death toll was later updated to six by the city’s mayor, Oleksandr Vilkul, who also suggested that people might be trapped beneath the rubble of buildings hit in the attack.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered his condolences to the families of those killed in Kryvyi Rih, vowing that the perpetrators will be “held accountable for every missile they launch”. He expressed his grief over the dead and wounded, and his support for the rescue operation in Kryvyi Rih.

Previous Attacks and The Ongoing Threat

Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, had previously been hit by a Russian missile in December, which resulted in three deaths and at least 13 injuries. The recent wave of air attacks comes against the backdrop of Ukraine’s claims of having retaken several villages and making advances in its counteroffensive against Russian forces.

The latest wave of air attacks comes as Ukraine claimed to have retaken several villages and made advances in its counteroffensive against Russian forces. It was not immediately clear how many missiles hit Kryvyi Rih and where the drones struck their targets. In Kharkiv, civilian infrastructure was reportedly hit by a drone, as per Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

The Wider Implications

It’s important to understand the wider implications of these attacks. Since February 24, 2022, more than 500 children have been reported killed by the Russian military. In addition to the human cost, the attacks have a detrimental impact on civilian infrastructure, causing extensive damage and disrupting daily life. The attack on Kryvyi Rih, in particular, hit an apartment block and warehouses, underlining the indiscriminate nature of the attacks.

While the Ukrainian military claims to have destroyed 10 out of 14 cruise missiles and one of four Iranian-made drones fired at Ukraine overnight, the threat of further attacks remains. The international community continues to watch the situation unfold, with calls for a peaceful resolution growing louder.