Verified photos and video footage of the extensive destruction of the "Solnechnaya Galereya" (Sun Gallery) shopping and entertainment center and the surrounding residential buildings, caused by a Russian strike on August 21, have been released in Kryvyi Rih. Citing the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES), the outlet XAB.info reports the final picture of the attack's aftermath: following the completion of the key phase of search-and-rescue operations and the recovery of bodies from under the rubble, the number of civilian fatalities stands at 16. Rescue and emergency units continue to work at the impact site, mitigating the consequences of the shelling of civilian infrastructure.
Scale of destruction per SES footage
The released footage shows destruction that extends far beyond a single building. The photos and video reveal the collapse of the shopping center's roof and floor slabs, burned-out retail pavilions, deformed metal structures, and piles of construction debris covering the surrounding area. The damage affected dozens of nearby multi-story residential buildings and parked cars. It is precisely such scenes — smoke, sparks from warped structures, and rescuers in protective gear working among the wreckage — that are captured in the widely circulated footage from the emergency site.
Medical statistics and the condition of the injured
According to the latest data, a total of 140 people were injured in the attack, including more than 20 children. Of these, 51 injured persons are receiving inpatient treatment in city hospitals, while the rest were treated on an outpatient basis. Medical staff assess the condition of six patients as extremely critical; among the most severely injured are two children aged 10 and 16. This distinction between the figures is important: the number 140 reflects the total count of those who sought medical help, whereas 51 is the number of those hospitalized.
Progress of rescue operations
SES rescue units have completed the dismantling of the main piles of metal structures and floor slabs of the shopping center. Smoldering spots at the site have been extinguished, and an engineering survey of the building has been carried out to assess its stability and safety. Emergency rescue services continue to work at the impact site, conducting monitoring and final clearance operations of the area.
Authorities' response and days of mourning
Days of mourning have been declared in Kryvyi Rih for those killed in the Russian strike. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the shelling of the shopping center "absolute barbarism" and promised a firm response against the adversary. Official statements emphasize that the attack was directed against civilian infrastructure and the civilian population.
Context and risks for frontline cities
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia may be preparing new strikes on shopping centers in frontline cities, including further provocations and shelling of civilian objects in Kryvyi Rih. This means that civilian infrastructure in frontline regions remains at elevated risk, and authorities and rescue services continue to operate in a heightened state of readiness to minimize the consequences of any new attacks.
