Kathmandu— At least six people were killed and over 26 injured in Russian strikes across multiple regions of Ukraine on Saturday, while a Ukrainian drone attack in southern Russia resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to their parents, according to officials from both nations. The attacks occurred as rescue operations continued in Kryvyi Rih following Friday’s strike on a shopping complex that left 16 dead and over 130 wounded. These incidents underscore the escalating civilian toll of the ongoing conflict.

Escalating Attacks in Ukraine

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported one death resulting from a warehouse fire in the Darnytskyi district following an overnight Russian ballistic missile attack. In the Kherson region, three people were killed and 13 wounded after strikes damaged residential buildings. The Donetsk region also saw casualties, with one fatality and seven injuries – including five in Kramatorsk – reported by regional governor Vadym Filashkin. A drone strike in the Sumy region claimed the life of one man, while six others sustained injuries in separate attacks across that region.

Kryvyi Rih Shopping Complex Strike

Emergency workers continued searching through the wreckage of the Sunny Gallery shopping complex in Kryvyi Rih following Friday afternoon’s assault. Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih Defense Council, stated that Russian forces targeted the city's largest shopping centre with jet-powered Shahed drones. A second wave of attacks reportedly hit approximately 30 minutes after the first, allegedly targeting emergency crews responding to the initial strike. Dnipropetrovsk regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha confirmed Saturday morning that the death toll in Kryvyi Rih had risen to 16, with more than 130 wounded, including 22 children.

Ukrainian Drone Attack in Russia

Authorities in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region reported that two children were killed and two adults injured in a Ukrainian drone strike. This attack occurred as rescue efforts continued in Ukraine following the strikes on civilian areas. Al Jazeera's Audrey MacAlpine, reporting from Kyiv, noted that Friday’s shopping mall attack began “at 4:30 in the afternoon when the mall is typically crowded,” with a second wave arriving shortly after and targeting first responders.

Zelenskyy Condemns Attacks

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Friday’s strike on Kryvyi Rih as “absolutely cynical and despicable” and an “act of barbarism”, vowing a swift response. He described the attacks as “nothing less than terrorist acts” in a post on Telegram. MacAlpine also highlighted that July has been one of the deadliest months for civilians on both sides since the start of the full-scale war, demonstrating how attacks far from the front lines are impacting ordinary people.

The ongoing exchange of strikes continues to raise concerns about civilian safety and the escalating humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and Russia. Further developments are expected as rescue operations continue and investigations into the incidents unfold.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.