Topline
Russia on Monday struck a mall in central Ukraine that had more than 1,000 people inside, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky said, sharing a video that appeared to show massive fires at the shopping center, as G-7 leaders are gathered to discuss future plans to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a press conference.
Key Facts
At least 10 people died, while more than 40 were injured in the rocket strike in Kremenchuk, a city of roughly 215,000, Dmytro Lunin, the regional governor, wrote on Facebook.
In a post on Telegram, Zelensky said the number of victims is “impossible to imagine,” adding rescuers were attempting to put out the fires.
The mall was of “no strategic value” to the Russian army and only concerned people trying to “live a normal life,” Zelensky said.
Key Background
The rocket strike comes after Russia carried out a host of attacks across Ukraine, including in the capital of Kyiv, over the weekend, as G-7 nations—the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan—gathered in Germany for their annual three-day summit. Several people were injured and two died in a Russian missile strike on residential apartments in Kyiv, an attack President Joe Biden called “disgusting barbarism.” G-7 leaders on Monday pledged more support for Ukraine and further sanctions against Russia. The nations are also close to reaching a deal to set a price cap on Russian oil, which would fix a limit on how much revenue Russia could make from its oil. G-7 finance ministers reportedly plan to sort out the details in the coming weeks and months.
Further Reading
Busy Ukraine shopping centre hit by Russian strike – Zelensky (BBC)
G-7 Leaders Nearing Price Cap On Russian Oil Funding Putin’s War Chest (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/madelinehalpert/2022/06/27/russia-strikes-central-ukraine-mall-with-more-than-1000-people-inside-zelensky-says/