--- title: "Second strike on shopping center in Kryvyi Rih: death toll rises, Zelenskyy calls attack a terrorist act" description: "In Kryvyi Rih, the death toll has risen after a second strike by Russian drones on a shopping center: reports indicate five fatalities and more than 90 injured, including children. Zelenskyy called the attack a terrorist act." date: 2026-08-21T15:38:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/krivoy-rog-second-strike-shopping-center-casualties-rise tags: [krivoy-rog, drone-strike, shopping-center, zelensky, ukraine] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Second strike on shopping center in Kryvyi Rih: death toll rises, Zelenskyy calls attack a terrorist act ![Firefighters in protective gear working inside a smoke-filled shopping center in Kryvyi Rih after a repeat missile strike](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/22/krivoy-rog-udar-po-torgovomu-tsentru-chislo-zhertv/krivoy-rog-udar-po-torgovomu-tsentru-chislo-zhertv-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Russian attack drones struck a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih in two waves; the second strike hit while emergency services were working. - Five fatalities are confirmed; the number of injured has risen from an initial 52 to more than 90, including at least six children among the victims. - The President of Ukraine called the attack a terrorist act and urged the international community to exert real pressure on Russia. In Kryvyi Rih (Dnipropetrovsk region), the number of casualties has risen following a second strike by Russian attack drones on a civilian shopping center. Ukrainian media reported this on August 21–22, 2026, citing the Telegram channel of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who also published photos from the scene. As of the morning of August 22, five fatalities and at least 52 injured were confirmed, including six children; subsequently, updated data indicated that the number of injured exceeded 90, with more than two dozen in critical condition. All victims are receiving medical assistance. ### Two waves of strikes on a civilian object According to available information, enemy drones struck the shopping center in two waves. The second strike, according to witnesses and emergency services, occurred approximately half an hour after the first hit and the ensuing fire—at a time when rescuers and medics were already working at the scene. This sequence of the attack, directed at a facility where emergency personnel were already present, was described by the President of Ukraine as a "completely cynical and vile" strike on an ordinary shopping center. The published footage shows rubble, glass shards on a wet floor, smoke, and firefighters in protective gear with breathing apparatus working in the destruction zone. ### Casualties and injured Immediately after the attack on August 21, reports indicated five fatalities and more than 50 injured. As information came in from hospitals, the number of casualties rapidly increased, exceeding 90 people, with more than two dozen in critical condition as of the morning of August 22; among the injured are children—at least six. Medical personnel continue to provide necessary care, and exact figures are typically refined as patients stabilize and the initial triage phase concludes. ### Reaction of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in his Telegram channel that such strikes on civilian objects constitute a terrorist act and called on the international community to respond with "real pressure on the aggressor." The head of state emphasized that real accountability for Russia's crimes is necessary to achieve peace. The publication was accompanied by photos of the strike's aftermath, depicting destruction inside the shopping center and emergency services working in smoky conditions. ### Contradictory data There is a discrepancy in the number of casualties in open sources. Initial reports and the President's quote cite the figure "52 injured, including six children," whereas subsequent summaries for the same day indicate that the number of casualties "rapidly increased and exceeded 90 people," with more than two dozen in critical condition. Both versions refer to the same event on August 21, but the difference is usually explained by the time lag between the initial on-site assessment and updated medical data; a single final number has not been recorded at the time of publication. Additionally, some of the original text used emotional and inappropriate language, which has been replaced with neutral professional terminology in this publication. ### Context of attacks on August 21 The strike on Kryvyi Rih was part of a series of attacks that, according to Ukrainian media reports, were also launched on August 21, 2026, against Zaporizhzhia and other settlements, where residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were damaged. The incident in Kryvyi Rih attracted special attention due to the double nature of the strike on the shopping center and the hit occurring while rescuers were working, which strengthens accusations against Moscow regarding the targeted destruction of civilian objects and emergency personnel. The Ukrainian side continues to gather evidence for international accountability mechanisms. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Zelenskyy shows photos of the aftermath of the Russian strike on the SC in Kryvyi Rih](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-pokazav-foto-naslidkiv-udaru-rf-1787325968.html) - Подтверждает публикацию фото Зеленским, удар в две волны, 5 погибших и 52 раненых (включая 6 детей), цитату президента. - [Bloody strike on the SC in Kryvyi Rih and the selection of preventive measure for former MP Mykytas. Main points of the day](https://ru.slovoidilo.ua/2026/08/21/itogi/krovavyj-udar-tcz-krivom-roge-i-izbranie-mery-presecheniya-eks-nardepu-mikitasyu.-glavnoe-den) - Датирует событие 21.08.2026, подтверждает двойной удар и рост числа пострадавших. - [Terrorist act in Kryvyi Rih. Strike on the shopping center](https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/4905145-terakt-v-kryvom-rohe-udar-po-torhovomu-tsentru) - Подтверждает факт удара по торговому центру и квалификацию события как теракта. - [Russia attacked Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih: houses and shopping centers damaged, details](https://glavred.info/ukraine/rf-atakovala-zaporozhe-i-krivoy-rog-povrezhdeny-doma-i-tc-detali-10783676.html) - Даёт контекст серии атак 21 августа по Запорожью и Кривому Рогу, повреждение ТЦ и жилых домов. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: How many people were killed and injured in the strike on the shopping center in Kryvyi Rih? **A:** Five fatalities are confirmed. The number of injured was initially reported as 52 (including six children), but updated data indicates it has exceeded 90, with more than two dozen in critical condition. ### Q: When and how was the strike carried out? **A:** The strike was carried out on August 21, 2026, in two waves: the second strike occurred approximately half an hour after the first, when rescuers and emergency services were already working at the scene. ### Q: How did the President of Ukraine comment on the attack? **A:** Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strike "completely cynical and vile," classified it as a terrorist act, and called on the international community to respond with real pressure on Russia, emphasizing the need for accountability for the crimes.