13 killed in Russian missile attack in southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia, say officials

Thu Jan 09 05:27:10 UTC 2025: ## Russian Missile Strike Kills 13 Civilians in Zaporizhzhia

**KYIV, Ukraine (January 9, 2025)** – A Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of at least 13 civilians and injuries to approximately 30 others, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack, which occurred during the daytime, targeted residential areas, leaving streets littered with debris and prompting a day of mourning in the region.

Footage released by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office shows emergency services responding to the scene, treating the wounded and transporting casualties. Governor Ivan Fedorov had issued a warning minutes before the attack, citing a threat of high-speed missiles and glide bombs. Fedorov stated that at least two bombs hit residential buildings.

Zelenskyy condemned the attack, highlighting its brutality and the suffering inflicted on civilians. He reiterated Ukraine’s need for security guarantees from nations seeking peace, expressing concerns that a ceasefire without sufficient deterrents could merely provide Russia with time to regroup and launch another invasion. He pointed to the resistance from the US, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia regarding Ukraine’s immediate accession to NATO, despite the alliance acknowledging Ukraine’s “irreversible path” to membership.

In a separate development, the Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for striking a fuel storage depot near Engels, Russia, causing a significant fire. This facility supplies a Russian airbase used for launching missiles into Ukraine. While Russian officials acknowledged a drone attack and resulting fire, they reported no casualties. The Ukrainian General Staff asserted that the attack disrupted Russian logistics and reduced their capacity to strike Ukrainian civilian targets. The attack also led to flight restrictions at several Russian airports. The incident follows a pattern of Ukrainian long-range attacks targeting Russian military infrastructure deep within Russian territory.