Russian strike kills three in Kryvyi Rih as rouble weakens
Ukrainian officials said 25 others were wounded, while Moscow rejected concern over market pressure linked to the war.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
A Russian missile strike killed at least three people in Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian officials said Tuesday, adding to civilian casualties as both sides intensify long-range attacks. The strike came as Russia faces signs of economic pressure from the war, including fuel problems and a weaker rouble.
Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih defence council, said on Telegram that 25 people were wounded in the attack on the central Ukrainian city. Vilkul said the missile carried a cluster munition warhead and that the deaths occurred within 200 metres of one another.
Vilkul said the city would mark a day of mourning on Wednesday. Kyiv has previously accused Russia of using cluster munitions, weapons that disperse smaller explosives over an area after deployment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by urging Ukraine’s partners to increase pressure on Moscow and speed up deliveries of air defence systems. In a Telegram post, Zelenskyy said delays in putting air defence agreements into effect and sending equipment to Ukraine cost lives.
Ukraine also said Tuesday that its forces had struck targets in Russian-occupied Crimea, including a railway bridge, a power plant and other infrastructure. The announcement came during a period of heavier attacks by both Russia and Ukraine, according to Reuters, AFP and AP reporting.
War pressure reaches markets
Russia has continued large missile and drone barrages against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, while Ukraine has used drones to hit Russian refineries and other facilities, Reuters reported. Those Ukrainian strikes have contributed to fuel shortages in Russia, with several regions reporting fuel-sale limits and higher prices for oil products.
Financial markets have also shown strain. Reuters reported that the Moscow Exchange stock index dropped 5 percent on Monday before recovering some losses, leaving it near its lowest level since March 2023. The rouble also weakened beyond 75 to the US dollar for the first time since May 6.
The Kremlin rejected suggestions that the currency move pointed to broader instability. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Russia’s macroeconomic stability was “absolutely ensured.”
The war, now in its fifth year, has produced repeated waves of attacks on energy, transport and military-linked infrastructure on both sides. Ukraine has argued that its strikes inside Russian-held or Russian territory are meant to reduce Moscow’s ability to sustain the invasion, while Russia has continued to target Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Diplomacy remains stalled
Efforts to end the conflict remain stalled, according to Reuters, AP and AFP reporting. United States President Donald Trump has shifted attention toward Iran, while talks on Ukraine have shown little public movement.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told foreign envoys in Moscow on Tuesday that Washington appeared to be giving up any claim to act as an objective mediator. Lavrov said the United States was instead pursuing what he described as increased sanctions pressure on Russia.
Ukraine’s government has continued to press allies for air defence as Russian strikes hit civilian areas. Moscow has denied that economic pressure threatens stability, even as market and fuel indicators show the war is weighing more heavily inside Russia.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.