Kropyvnytskyi endures largest Russian attack: casualties reported, including children
Photo: Telegram / Andrii Raikovych
On the night of March 20, Kropyvnytskyi experienced an unprecedented assault by enemy strike drones, marking the most significant attack to date. Residential properties sustained damage, and several individuals, including children, were injured.
The head of the Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration, Andrii Raikovych, and the State Emergency Service (SES) reported this.
"The enemy is attacking residential areas of the city. Novomykolaivka, Balashivka are under attack. There are still enemy UAVs in the air. I ask everyone not to panic and to be as safe as possible," the head of the regional military administration informed at 11:29 p.m.
An hour and a half later, at 12:54 a.m., it became known that damage to the infrastructure was recorded as a result of the Russian shelling of the Kirovohrad region.
Photo: Telegram / Andrii Raikovych
According to Raikovych, this assault by Russian forces marks the most extensive attack on the city since the onset of the war. The city's civilian infrastructure was under attack, including:
- high-rise buildings,
- private sector.
Photo: SES
Photo: SES
"In an ironic twist, enemy drones struck Myru Street [which translates to "Peace" in Ukrainian – ed.]," the head of the regional military administration said.
At the same time, there are no fatalities but injuries.
Photo: SES
"Fortunately, everyone is alive. However, there are injuries, including a child. Doctors from the regional and city emergency hospitals promptly provide first aid.
Several surgical interventions have been carried out. Psychologists from the SES are working with the injured," he wrote.
Photo: Telegram / Andrii Raikovych
The head of the regional military administration also informed that "he held a meeting of the operational headquarters on site." In particular, a mobile invincibility point will be deployed.
"In the morning, all municipal services of the city will work on eliminating the consequences," Raikovych summarized.
Photo: SES
Photo: SES
Rescuers noted that as a result of the attack, civilian infrastructure was destroyed. Residential buildings in several areas were damaged:
- windows were broken,
- balconies were destroyed,
- structural damage was sustained.
Photo: SES
"All relevant services are working on the scene. SES psychologists assisted 25 people. An invincibility point was deployed," the SES report states.
Rescuers reported eight victims, including one child. They were provided with first aid; some underwent surgery.
Later, the National Police reported that the number of victims reached ten people, including four children.
Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) reported that as a result of the shelling of the Kirovohrad region, the railway infrastructure was damaged.
Photo: SES
Several train routes were altered, causing delays. However, within an hour, officials announced that all damage had been repaired, and train services through Kropyvnytskyi station had resumed normal operations.
Photo: SES
For reference:
On March 19, Russian forces launched a missile strike on a Ukrzaliznytsia JSC facility in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Four railway workers were injured, with two in serious condition.
