Russian Missile Strike Kills 18, Including 9 Children, in Kryvyi Rih

A Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, including nine children, and left around 61 others injured. The missile hit a residential area near a children's playground, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to assert that the attack underscores Russia's refusal to seek a ceasefire. Russian officials claimed the strike was aimed at a military meeting, a statement that Ukraine's military denounced as misinformation. Local authorities reported extensive damage, including to multiple apartment buildings and vehicles, with ongoing emergency responses. The attack, described as one of the deadliest since the start of the invasion in 2022, was followed by further drone assaults that resulted in additional casualties. Zelensky emphasized that the situation reflects Russia's intent to continue its aggression rather than pursue peace.