Russian Glide Bomb Attack on Zaporizhzhia Kills Civilians, Including Children

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine — At least 15 people, including three children, were killed after Russia struck residential areas in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia with five glide bombs, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and emergency services.

The Saturday morning attack also injured at least 16 people, while authorities said others were missing and could be trapped beneath the rubble of damaged buildings. The casualty figures were reported by Ukrainian authorities and could change as rescue operations continued.

Images from the scene showed an apartment building heavily damaged by the strikes. Acting Mayor Regina Kharchenko said the impact destroyed the ground floor and caused upper floors to collapse.

More than 80 emergency workers were involved in search-and-rescue operations, with teams continuing to look for survivors and account for residents who remained untraced.

Zelensky condemns attacks across Ukraine

Zelensky said the Zaporizhzhia strike was part of a broader wave of Russian attacks that affected 13 other regions overnight.

In a statement following the bombardment, the Ukrainian president warned that Russia should not interpret any easing of international pressure as permission to continue the war. He also criticised a newly announced US arrangement involving Russian diesel exports, arguing that it could weaken efforts to pressure Moscow to end the conflict.

The attack came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced the arrangement, which drew criticism from Kyiv amid continued fighting.

Civilian casualties mount amid intensified strikes

Zaporizhzhia, an industrial and regional centre with a population of more than 700,000, lies close to the front line and has repeatedly faced attacks during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022.

The latest strike follows other deadly attacks reported across the country in recent days. Ukrainian authorities have reported mass casualties in Kramatorsk, where glide bombs struck civilian buses, and in Pryluky, where a missile hit an apartment building.

The United Nations has also warned of a sharp increase in civilian casualties. Its human rights monitoring mission reported that at least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 injured in Ukraine during July 2026, a 30 per cent increase in total casualties compared with June.

The figures reflect the growing danger faced by civilians as missiles, drones and aerial bombs continue to hit populated areas.

Energy infrastructure remains a concern

Alongside attacks affecting residential areas and transport, both Russia and Ukraine have targeted infrastructure during the conflict. Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities have raised concerns about electricity supplies and the resilience of essential services as colder weather approaches.

Ukraine has also carried out attacks on infrastructure inside Russia, including facilities linked to energy and technology operations.

The continued exchanges have placed additional pressure on civilian communities, public services and emergency responders.

Calls for protection of civilians

The latest attack has renewed calls for stronger protection of civilians and accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.

Residential areas and civilian infrastructure are protected under the laws of armed conflict. Parties to a conflict are required to distinguish between civilian and military targets and take feasible precautions to minimise harm to civilians.

As rescue teams continue their work in Zaporizhzhia, authorities face the immediate task of locating missing residents, treating the injured and supporting families affected by the attack.

The rising toll from strikes across Ukraine underscores the continuing humanitarian cost of the war and the urgent need for measures that protect civilians and reduce further loss of life.