Sibiga: Russia's double strike on the shopping center in Kryvyi Rih — 'pure terror' requiring tough sanctions against the defense industry

Andriy Sibiga, the Head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated in his post on the social network X that Russia intentionally attacked a regular shopping center in Kryvyi Rih and then delivered a second strike after the arrival of rescue services. According to him, at least 14 people were killed, more than 100 were injured, including 11 children. The official called the incident "pure terror" and emphasized that such "barbaric double strikes" aim to maximize the number of casualties among the civilian population, which, in his assessment, confirms the status of the Russian Federation as a terrorist state.

Call for accountability and tightening of sanctions pressure

In his statement, Sibiga declared that "Russian criminals responsible for such atrocities must be held accountable" and, on behalf of Ukraine, called on the international community to take concrete action. The minister argued that every such war crime should entail stricter sanctions — primarily against the Russian military-industrial complex and its intermediaries — as well as increased defense support for Ukraine. "Russia must be deprived of both the ability to produce these instruments of terror and the ability to use them. Sanctions and interceptors are two tools that save lives. We need to do both immediately," concluded the head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Timeline of the attack and work of services at the scene

As Ukrainian media recall, the strikes on Kryvyi Rih were carried out the day before, on August 21, 2026; a hit on the shopping center was recorded. According to information, the Russians first delivered one strike, and then, after the arrival of the State Emergency Service (SES) units, shelled the building again. Law enforcement agencies and emergency services continued to work at the scene until the morning of August 22. As of the morning of August 22, the number of dead reached 16, and the number of injured was 130, with children among the victims and wounded.

Contradictory data

There is a discrepancy in the figures between the minister's official statement and the reports on the consequences of the attack. In Sibiga's post on X, it is stated "at least 14 killed and more than 100 injured, including 11 children," whereas in the updated data as of the morning of August 22, 2026, the figures are 16 killed and 130 injured. The difference is explained by the fact that the minister's statement was published earlier, before the final count of victims at the scene, and used the caveat "at least." Nevertheless, both versions confirm the key fact — mass casualties among the civilian population, including children, and the nature of the second strike on the building after the arrival of rescuers.

Context and reaction of partners

Sibiga's address was published against the backdrop of the ongoing campaign of Russian strikes on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and sparked a wide response in Ukrainian media, which cited the minister's call to tighten sanctions pressure on the Russian defense industry. The publications emphasize that Kyiv considers the combination of "sanctions plus air defense systems" as the main tool for reducing losses among the peaceful population. The further reaction of Western partners to the call of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for immediate increased pressure on Russia and its defense industry remains a subject of ongoing monitoring.