No fewer than five persons have been killed, while 52 others, including children, were injured following a Russian drone attack that hit a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine.

In a post on X on Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that the drone attack struck in two waves, with the first causing a fire, while the second targeted emergency responders.

“An absolutely cynical and despicable strike was carried out by the Russians against an ordinary shopping center in Kryvyi Rih. The attack drones struck in two waves – half an hour after the first hit and the fire, there was a second strike targeting the emergency responders.

“As of now, five deaths have been reported. My condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed. At least 52 people have been injured, including six children,” he wrote on X.

Mr Zelenskyy stated that all the injured victims were receiving the necessary medical care.

“Attacks like these are nothing less than terrorist acts. And the world must respond to them accordingly – with real pressure on the aggressor. For peace to be possible, Russia must face real accountability,” he added.

This comes barely three days after 10 people were killed and others injured in Ukraine by Russian missiles.