One killed and many injured as Russia intensifies attacks in Ukraine

On April 6, 2025, a Russian air strike targeted Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, resulting in the death of one individual and injuring three others. The incident occurred in the Darnytskyi district, where local officials reported the victim was found near the strike’s epicenter. Simultaneously, the aftermath of a previous missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih continued to unfold, with the death toll from that attack rising to 19, including many children. More than 75 people were also injured in Kryvyi Rih, prompting local authorities to declare three days of mourning beginning April 7. This recent violence marks one of the deadliest attacks impacting civilians since the inception of the full-scale invasion by Russian forces in February 2022, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the situation, emphasizing that the surge in Russian attacks signifies a lack of sufficient international pressure on Moscow. Zelenskyy pointed out that the intensified strikes are, in fact, a retaliation by Russian President Vladimir Putin against international diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. He reiterated that there should be no easing of pressure on Moscow, urging global leaders to intensify their efforts to guarantee security and push towards a peaceful resolution. Zelenskyy highlighted that the missiles used in the latest attacks were fired from Russian naval vessels in the Black Sea, which poses additional challenges for Ukraine's defense strategy. The attack on Kryvyi Rih, deemed one of the deadliest since the conflict escalated, was characterized by local officials as particularly tragic given the number of children among the casualties. The local administration, led by Oleksandr Vilkul, expressed collective grief, reminding citizens that the pain inflicted by these attacks resonates with millions of people. As the number of damaged structures grows, including 44 apartment buildings and 23 private houses, the humanitarian needs are straightforwardly pressing. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that the attack targeted a gathering of military personnel and Western instructors, but these assertions have not been independently verified, leading to skepticism from the Ukrainian general staff regarding the motivations behind the air strike. The clash between Russian and Ukrainian forces has intensified, with Ukrainian military reports citing 23 missiles and 109 strike and decoy drones being launched across Ukraine. This relentless barrage demonstrates the ongoing severity of the conflict, exacerbated by the recent escalations. The Ukrainian leadership continues to convey a message of resilience, declaring that the commitment to stand united against the aggression is unwavering, despite the daunting realities faced by civilians affected by the warfare.