KYIV: A Russian strike on a bustling market in Kherson has killed six people, authorities said Tuesday, as Ukraine observe Defenders Day, a national holiday honoring its military personnel.
The attack occurred around 9 a.m. local time, with initial reports indicating seven fatalities before officials revised the toll to six after one presumed dead was stabilized by medical personnel.
The regional prosecutor’s office stated that the strike, allegedly carried out with cannon artillery, targeted a public transport stop and the nearby market in Kherson, a city situated on the western bank of the Dnipro River—now a frontline between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Debris, shattered glass, and bodies littered the area, stark reminders of the ongoing violence.
In the adjacent Zaporizhzhia region, another Russian strike resulted in one death and injured 32 others, as reported by Ukraine’s interior ministry.
Meanwhile, Ukrainians nationwide paused to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of those lost in the conflict. In Kyiv, traffic came to a standstill as residents held portraits of deceased loved ones, some visibly distraught.
President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed troops, acknowledging the “painful moments” faced by his forces on their arduous journey toward victory.
“Inside, we are all screaming with pain for each fallen hero, screaming with hatred for the evil that has come to our land,” he stated.
Neither Ukraine nor Russia publicly disclose casualty figures, but independent estimates suggest tens of thousands have died on both sides since the onset of the conflict in February 2022.
On the battlefield, Russia has claimed advancements in the east, asserting the capture of two additional frontline villages, one located just 13 kilometers from the strategic supply hub of Pokrovsk.
In response to Russian maneuvers near the town of Vugledar, the Kremlin indicated that President Vladimir Putin is receiving regular updates on military developments.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have launched offensives into the Russian region of Kursk. Amidst these military actions, the Kremlin has intensified its crackdown on dissent, detaining 39 individuals—including children—accused of supporting “Ukrainian terrorist” groups.
