A Russian drone attack on a market in southern Ukraine has killed five people and injured 21, including a 14-year-old girl, according to the prosecutor general's office.
The attack took place at 09:50 (06.50 GMT) in the town of Nikopol, situated across the Dnipro river from Russian-occupied territories since their full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Images released by the regional prosecutor show market kiosks destroyed, littered with debris from the strike.
This incident follows prior drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, which claimed the lives of at least 15 civilians on a recent Friday.
In retaliation, a Ukrainian assault on the southern Russian city of Taganrog resulted in one death and four serious injuries, as reported by Russian authorities.
The town of Nikopol frequently endures attacks, with nearly half of its population of 100,000 having evacuated for safety. However, the recent strikes occurred in a busy morning period, significantly increasing casualties.
Following the initial strike, two additional injuries were reported from a second attack at the same location, prompting investigations into potential war crimes.
Simultaneously, Ukraine's air force noted almost 300 drones launched by Russia overnight, leading to casualties in various regions, including Kharkiv and Sumy.
Moreover, Moscow claimed to have intercepted 85 Ukrainian drones in retaliation.
The attack in Taganrog reportedly resulted in a fire at a logistics company.
A Ukrainian defense official attributed the high casualty rate to "Russian air defense operations."
As the situation escalates, President Volodymyr Zelensky is actively pursuing diplomatic solutions, despite worsening conflicts. He recently offered a truce for the Easter holidays, which has yet to receive a response from Moscow.
In light of surging global oil prices, which threaten Ukraine's operational capabilities against Russia, Zelensky’s international outreach includes securing support for its defense against sustained missile attacks.
