Russian strike kills 4, injures 60 at Pavlohrad shopping center

Four people were killed and more than 60 injured after a Russian strike on a shopping center in Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, authorities said. The attack occurred during daylight hours when the streets were full of people, according to Interior Minister Ivan Vyhivskyi.

Images released by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine showed firefighters directing water hoses at burning vehicles amid clouds of smoke. Two emergency workers were among those injured, as well as a child. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered condolences to the families of those killed, stating that "The Russians used drones to kill people who were simply standing near shopping centres."

Pavlohrad, a logistics hub roughly 75 kilometers (45 miles) from the front line, has come under heavy attack previously. On July 20, the city was attacked by glide bombs (KABs), which are cheaper than missiles, launched from aircraft, and carry warheads up to 1,500 kilograms.

Elsewhere, Russian forces struck a shopping and entertainment center in Sumy for a second time on September 10, less than a day after an attack on the same mall killed two people and injured 23 others, including three children. Ukrainian officials say Russia has intensified attacks on supermarkets and shopping centers, even during the day when stores are crowded with civilians.