In a major escalation of hostilities, Russia launched a devastating missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Ri, the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The assault, which occurred on Tuesday night local time, targeted two buildings in the city, causing significant loss of life and widespread destruction.

Reports from Qatar-based news media Al Jazeera confirm that missiles fired by Moscow struck two buildings, one of five floors and another of nine floors, resulting in a tragic toll. At least three people have been reported dead, with an additional 38 individuals sustaining injuries, including 10 children.

Local authorities have described the attack as a deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure. The missile strikes caused extensive damage, leading to fires that engulfed the upper floors of the targeted buildings. Rescue operations commenced immediately following the assault, with emergency responders working tirelessly throughout the night to evacuate residents trapped in the affected structures. Cranes were deployed to safely lower individuals from the upper floors to the ground.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, himself a native of Kryvyi Ri, has vowed to spare no effort in the ongoing rescue operation until all survivors are accounted for and brought to safety. This latest attack underscores the relentless assault by Russian forces on civilian populations in Ukraine, with Kryvyi Ri having endured repeated strikes in previous offensives.

The brazen assault on Kryvyi Ri serves as a stark reminder of the grave humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine, as innocent civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. As tensions escalate and violence intensifies, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and bring an end to the bloodshed.