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On June 24, a deadly Russian missile attack hit the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro and the nearby town of Samarske, killing at least 18 people and injuring nearly 300 others. The strike caused widespread destruction, targeting civilian areas and infrastructure, including a dormitory, a gym, an administrative building, and even a passenger train.
According to Serhii Lysak, the governor of Dnipropetrovsk region, the missiles sparked major fires and damaged buildings in multiple locations across the area. The situation remained critical for hours, with emergency crews working late into the night to search for survivors and care for the wounded.
President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the tragedy with a statement on social media, expressing his sorrow over the growing number of casualties. By early afternoon, he reported 11 people had died and more than 160 were injured. He also warned that the numbers were expected to rise as emergency teams cleared the rubble.
By 8:30 p.m. local time, officials confirmed the death toll had risen to 17, and the number of people injured had climbed to 279. This included 27 children, some of whom were seriously hurt. The next morning, the official death toll was updated to 18, with about 100 of the injured still receiving hospital treatment.
The town of Samarske was also hit during the missile strikes. Two people were killed there, and 14 others were hurt. Eight of the injured needed to be hospitalized, and four of them were reported to be in critical condition.
One of the more alarming parts of the attack involved a passenger train traveling from Odesa to Zaporizhzhia. The national railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, confirmed the train was damaged during the missile strike. Luckily, no passengers or train staff were killed, though some suffered injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment. The railway company quickly arranged a replacement train from Dnipro to safely transport passengers to their final destination.
This missile attack happened while NATO leaders were holding a summit in The Hague. Just a day before the attack, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Russia remained the biggest threat to NATO and international peace. The missile strike on Dnipro added more urgency to his message.
The attack on civilian infrastructure, especially public places like dormitories and gyms, has once again raised concerns about Russia’s targeting of non-military sites. The use of missiles in densely populated areas has led to massive destruction and loss of innocent lives.
Emergency teams in Ukraine continue to work around the clock to provide aid, rescue trapped victims, and support grieving families. The Ukrainian government has also called on international allies to strengthen support and increase pressure on Russia in response to the growing number of attacks on civilians.
As of now, the city of Dnipro is still recovering from the aftermath, with many people injured, homes and public buildings destroyed, and families mourning their loved ones. The attack serves as a painful reminder that the war in Ukraine continues to cause immense human suffering, with civilians often paying the highest price.