Russia carried out multiple guided bomb attacks on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia early on Sunday, injuring at least 16 people, including two children. The strikes damaged key infrastructure, residential areas, and railways, disrupting train services as rescuers worked to clear debris. The attacks took place between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., with a total of 13 bombs targeting three city districts, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy shared images of the aftermath, showing charred vehicles, damaged buildings, and emergency responders battling fires. He emphasized that this latest wave of Russian assaults highlights the ongoing intensity of the conflict, particularly the use of difficult-to-intercept guided bombs.
Zaporizhzhia, located approximately 50 kilometers from the frontline and home to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, has faced increased Russian airstrikes in recent weeks. Zelenskiy noted that Russian forces have used nearly 900 guided bombs, 300 Shahed drones, and 40 missiles against Ukrainian urban centers and villages in the past week alone.
Zelenskiy, who recently returned from the United States where he sought additional military aid, reiterated the need for global unity in supporting Ukraine and applying pressure on Russia to end the war. Moscow has not yet commented on the strikes in Zaporizhzhia, but it continues to deny targeting civilians, despite UN reports indicating thousands of civilian deaths since the start of the invasion in February 2022. The Russian defense ministry claimed on Sunday that it had downed 125 Ukrainian drones overnight, while a residential building in Russia’s western city of Voronezh was also reportedly struck.