A Russian missile strike on a village near the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih killed six people overnight, including five members of the same family, according to Ukrainian officials.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the deaths, stating that the victims included a six-year-old girl and two boys, aged 11 and 17, alongside their parents. The attack underscores the persistent threat to civilian areas far from the front lines.

"Untimely assistance and delays in the delivery of anti-ballistic missiles lead to this kind of destruction," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Children Among the Dead

The strike hit a residential area in the village, causing significant destruction. Emergency services worked through the night to search for survivors and recover bodies from the rubble.

Kryvyi Rih, President Zelensky's hometown, has been a frequent target of Russian attacks since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Despite its distance from the immediate conflict zones, cities across Ukraine remain vulnerable to long-range missile and drone assaults.

Kryvyi Rih residential building missile damage

Zelensky Renews Air Defence Plea

Following the attack, President Zelensky renewed his urgent appeal for more sophisticated air defence systems from international partners. He emphasised that delays in the delivery of anti-ballistic missiles directly contribute to such devastating outcomes for civilians.

Ukraine has consistently called for increased military aid, particularly for systems capable of intercepting Russian ballistic and cruise missiles. Western allies have supplied various air defence platforms, including Patriot and NASAMS systems, but Ukrainian officials argue that the scale of the threat requires significantly more.

The ongoing bombardment highlights the critical need for robust aerial protection as the conflict continues into its third year, with civilian infrastructure and lives remaining at severe risk.