World Condemns Russian Attack on Kryvyi Rih That Killed Children and Civilians

The international community has condemned Russia’s deadly missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, a Ukrainian city targeted by a brutal attack on 4 April. The early morning strike hit a residential area, killing at least 19 people, including 9 children, and injuring more than 60 others. The missile, believed to be an Iskander-type ballistic weapon, caused widespread destruction in an area far from any military targets.

The strike has triggered global outrage, with embassies and foreign officials expressing condolences and strongly denouncing Russian aggression. Switzerland’s Embassy in Ukraine released a statement saying: “We express our condolences to the families of the victims and those injured in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih as a result of today’s Russian shelling. Civilians should never be targeted.” Switzerland reported at least 16 dead and six children among them at the time of the statement.

The Japanese Embassy was equally direct, calling the strike shocking and expressing sympathy to the families of the victims while wishing the injured a quick recovery.

Estonia’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, shared disturbing details and images from the scene, describing the attack as inhuman and further evidence that the Kremlin has no interest in peace. “Russia continues to destroy Ukraine,” she wrote.

While some officials were explicit, others, such as United States Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, stopped short of directly naming Russia as the attacker. Brink referred to the “horror” of the event and used it as an example of why the war must end, but did not mention the Russian military as responsible in her post.

German columnist Jürgen Nauditt took to social media to sharply criticise both the Kremlin and those defending or excusing it. Referring to Elon Musk, Nauditt compared Musk’s complaints to the reality of Ukrainian children being killed. “The Russians, whom Elon loves so much, have just killed three children in Kryvyi Rih with missiles. These three children are really dead,” he wrote, alongside a collage of victims.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky described the attack not as an act of war, but as “barbarism.” He added, “Czechia stands with you,” in support of Ukraine.

Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, posted an image of the aftermath with a sharp message: “This is what Putin’s ceasefire looks like.”

Despite the overwhelming evidence and images of destroyed homes and dead children, the Russian Ministry of Defence cynically claimed that the strike targeted a gathering of Ukrainian commanders and Western instructors. No military sites were hit, only civilian areas, according to Ukrainian authorities.

According to Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Centre for Counteracting Disinformation under Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, Russia used a ballistic cluster missile system, most likely an Iskander. A day of mourning has been declared in Kryvyi Rih.

Casualties from Kryvyi Rih Missile Strike

Estimated Currency Conversion of Damages (Approximate)

This strike is one of the deadliest against civilians in recent weeks.