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The death toll following a devastating Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, has climbed to 18 victims, including nine children, according to regional governor Serhii Lysak’s Saturday announcement.

The Friday assault left 61 people wounded, affecting residents across all age groups, from a 3-month-old infant to elderly citizens. Medical facilities are currently treating 40 individuals, with two children in critical condition and 17 others facing serious injuries.

Head of the city’s defense council, Oleksandr Vilkul, expressed his grief, stating, “There can never be forgiveness for this. Eternal memory to the victims.”

The strike, which targeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown, impacted areas adjacent to residential complexes. Zelenskyy noted on Telegram, “The missile struck an area right next to residential buildings – hitting a playground and ordinary streets.”

The attack’s destruction extended to approximately 20 apartment buildings, over 30 vehicles, an educational facility, and a restaurant, according to local officials.

Russia’s Defense Ministry released a statement Friday claiming they executed a precision missile strike with a high-explosive warhead on a restaurant hosting unit commanders and Western instructors. They alleged the operation eliminated 85 military personnel and foreign officers while destroying 20 vehicles. These assertions remain unverified and were dismissed by the Ukrainian General Staff.

A subsequent drone attack on Kryvyi Rih resulted in one female casualty and left seven others injured.

Zelenskyy attributed these ongoing attacks to Russia’s reluctance to pursue peace, saying, “Every missile, every drone strike proves Russia wants only war.” He called for increased international pressure on Moscow and enhanced air defense support, adding, “The United States, Europe, and the rest of the world have enough power to make Russia abandon terror and war.”

Ukrainian air force reported that overnight, Russian forces deployed 92 drones, with air defenses successfully intercepting 51. An additional 31 decoy drones failed to reach their intended targets.

In other developments, Russian-installed Governor Denis Pushilin reported one fatality in occupied Horlivka, Donetsk region, due to shelling on Saturday. Russian state media cited security officials who claimed to have neutralized 28 Ukrainian drones over Donetsk overnight, marking the region’s first experience with such extensive long-range attacks.