Russia Pounds Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia City with Guided Bombs, Injures 16

KYIV (Reuters) – On Sunday, Russian forces targeted the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia with multiple guided bombs, injuring at least 16 individuals and causing significant damage to railways, vital infrastructure, and various residential and commercial properties, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ivan Fedorov, the governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, reported that between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. local time, three districts of the city were struck with a total of 13 guided bombs. The casualties included two children aged 8 and 17 years.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy shared on the Telegram messaging platform that the strikes resulted in damage to several residential buildings, as well as disruptions to the city’s infrastructure and railway services. Images from the attack sites displayed scorched vehicles, a hole in a residential building, and firefighters responding to blazes. Local authorities indicated that train services were delayed and rerouted while emergency teams worked to clear the wreckage.

There was no immediate response from Moscow regarding the attacks.

The guided bombs used in these assaults pose a significant challenge for Ukrainian air defense systems to intercept. Zaporizhzhia, a key logistical and industrial center located about 50 km from the frontline, has faced increased bombing in recent weeks. Russian troops occupy part of the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, which also houses Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.

President Zelenskiy noted that in the past week, Russian forces launched nearly 900 guided bombs, over 300 Shahed drones, and more than 40 missiles against Ukrainian urban areas, towns, and villages. He emphasized, “This Russian terror knows no pause, and it can only be halted through global unity — unity that supports Ukraine and pressures Russia to end the war.”

Zelenskiy recently visited the United States to attend the U.N. General Assembly, where he detailed his strategic plan for achieving victory in the ongoing conflict that has lasted for two and a half years. He is continuing to urge allies for additional air defense systems.

Although Moscow claims to avoid targeting civilians, reports from the United Nations indicate that thousands have died in the wake of Russia’s invasion, which began in February 2022.

On Sunday, the Russian defense ministry stated that its air defenses shot down 125 Ukrainian drones overnight. Additionally, a residential building was hit in the western city of Voronezh, according to local officials.