Wed Jul 16 22:04:25 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
A Russian air raid on a shopping center and market in Dobropillia, Ukraine, resulted in at least two deaths and 22 injuries. Ukrainian officials report that a 500kg bomb was dropped during peak shopping hours, causing widespread damage to the area and surrounding buildings. President Zelenskyy condemned the attack as “horrific, stupid Russian terror.” This attack comes amid an escalation of Russian aerial campaigns against civilian areas, despite calls from U.S. President Trump to reach a peace deal within 50 days or face severe sanctions. Russia launched a barrage of drones, artillery, and a ballistic missile at multiple Ukrainian cities overnight before the attack on Dobropillia. Trump has pledged increased military aid and threatened further sanctions but some fear that the deadline for peace talks could motivate Russia to seize more land before negotiations.
**News Article:**
**Russian Airstrike Kills Two, Injures Dozens at Ukrainian Shopping Center**
**Dobropillia, Ukraine** – A Russian airstrike on a shopping center and market in Dobropillia, eastern Ukraine, on Wednesday has left at least two people dead and 22 injured, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack, which occurred during peak shopping hours, is being condemned by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as an act of “horrific, stupid Russian terror.”
Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin reported that a 500kg bomb was deployed at approximately 5:20 pm local time, causing widespread destruction to the shopping center, nearby apartment buildings, and vehicles. Video footage from the scene shows fires raging and smoke billowing into the sky.
“The occupier dropped the bomb at a time when Dobropillia was crowded with people. Many were out shopping,” Filashkin stated, emphasizing the deliberate targeting of a civilian area.
The bombing follows a massive overnight assault by Russia, involving hundreds of drones, artillery, and a ballistic missile targeting cities across Ukraine, including Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, Vinnytsia, and Odesa.
The attack comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a call for Moscow to reach a peace deal within 50 days or face severe sanctions. Trump has also pledged to increase military aid to Ukraine, including Patriot air defense systems. However, some fear that the deadline set by Trump could incentivize Russia to escalate its attacks and seize more territory before any potential negotiations.
The United Nations estimates that over 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed in the conflict, which has seen heavy fighting along the 1,000-kilometer front line. Direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have so far failed to yield any significant progress.
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