In brief
On 10 October 2026 five Russian glide bombs struck residential blocks in Zaporizhzhia, killing at least fifteen civilians – three of whom were children – and injuring at least sixteen others. The blasts flattened apartment buildings, with rescuers searching rubble for survivors and identifying over eighty workers involved in the search. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack and vowed a strong response, calling the incidents “a gift to President Vladimir Putin.” The strike occurred hours after the United States announced a diesel trade deal with Russia, escalating international tensions. As the conflict drags on, civilian casualties in Ukraine have risen sharply, with reports of additional attacks on data centres, buses, and energy infrastructure across the country.
Russian glide bombs strike Zaporizhzhia, 15 dead including children
Five glide bombs fired by Russian forces hit residential buildings in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Saturday morning. At least fifteen civilians were killed, including three children, and more than sixteen people suffered injuries. Rescue teams are working under rubble to locate survivors, with many still missing.
Acting Mayor Regina Kharchenko, speaking from the site, described the damage: “The ground floor was hit and the floors above collapsed.” She noted that over eighty rescuers were involved in the search, listening for any signs of life.
President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the strike, saying it was part of a broader campaign that “terrifies ordinary life.” He also slammed the U.S. diesel deal with Russia as a “gift to Vladimir Putin” and warned that easing pressure only emboldens the Kremlin.
This attack comes amid a spike in Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, including hits on data centres, buses, and energy facilities. The United Nations reports that civilian casualties in Ukraine have surged by 55 % in the first eight months of the year.
As the conflict continues, international attention remains focused on protecting civilians and ensuring accountability for war crimes. The Zaporizhzhia attack underscored the devastating human cost of the ongoing war and the urgency of a diplomatic resolution.
