Deadly Russian Missile Strike on Zelenskyy’s Hometown Kills 19, Including 9 Children, as U.S. Faces Criticism for Tepid Response Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine — A Russian ballistic missile tore through a residential neighborhood in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih on April 4, 2025, killing at least 19 people — nine of them children — and injuring 68 others, including a three-month-old infant, in one of the deadliest attacks on civilian areas since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
The strike, which Ukrainian officials say involved an Iskander missile equipped with cluster munitions, detonated near a playground and residential buildings, leaving a trail of shattered glass, burning vehicles, and bodies in the street. Unverified footage shared on social media showed victims, including a 15-year-old boy, lying motionless near a playground as gray smoke billowed from a collapsed apartment block.
Conflict Over the Target Russian authorities claimed the “high-precision strike” targeted a restaurant hosting Ukrainian commanders and Western military instructors, alleging up to 85 casualties — a figure dismissed by Kyiv as baseless propaganda. Ukrainian officials countered that the missile struck a courtyard in a densely populated area, damaging 20 apartment buildings, 30 vehicles, and multiple schools. “The missile exploded mid-air to maximize casualties,” said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of Kryvyi Rih’s defense council. “Children were killed near a playground”.
Rescue Efforts and Casualties Emergency crews worked through the night to extract survivors from rubble, with 17 victims remaining in critical condition as of April 6. Regional Governor Serhii Lysak reported that over 40 injured were hospitalized, including the three-month-old infant, who suffered lacerations but was stable. At least five structures were reduced to charred ruins, with Zelenskyy describing the scene as “ordinary streets turned into a hellscape”.
International Fallout The attack drew sharp condemnation from European leaders but sparked an unusual public rift between Kyiv and Washington. U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink called the strike “horrifying” in a social media post but stopped short of blaming Russia, prompting Zelenskyy to accuse the U.S. of a “surprisingly disappointing” response.
“They fear even saying ‘Russian’ when speaking of the missile that murdered children,” Zelenskyy tweeted. The criticism comes amid delicate negotiations between the U.S. and Russia, with President Donald Trump pushing for a ceasefire that Kyiv fears could cement Russian territorial gains.
Broader Context The assault underscores Moscow’s intensified targeting of civilian infrastructure as frontline momentum stalls. Kryvyi Rih, a city of 600,000 located 70 kilometers from the eastern front, has endured repeated strikes in recent months, including an April attack that killed four at a taxi lot.
As funerals began for victims on April 6, including a three-year-old described by Zelenskyy as the youngest killed, residents grappled with the attack’s aftermath. “There can never be forgiveness for this,” Vilkul said. With over 50 injured still receiving treatment — many undergoing surgery for shrapnel wounds — the death toll may yet rise.
The strike has amplified calls for advanced air defense systems from NATO allies, even as diplomatic efforts to end the war face mounting skepticism in Kyiv. “Weakness never stops a war,” Zelenskyy warned. “Silence only emboldens killers”.
— Reported with casualty figures from regional authorities, eyewitness accounts, and official statements.