Russian Strikes Kill 16 in Zaporizhzhia as Ukraine Condemns ‘War Crime’
Latest Ukraine Russia conflict updates
A residential building damaged by the recent Russian military strikes and anti-drone nets installed over a street, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in the frontline town Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine. Russian strikes on a penal colony in the frontline region of Zaporizhzhia in southwestern Ukraine overnight (July 28, 2025() killed 16 people and injured at least 35, regional Ukrainian military and Zaporizhzhia’s Governor said on Tuesday (July 29, 2025).
What Happened in Zaporizhzhia?
Governor Fedorov wrote on Telegram that the correctional facility was completely destroyed, with private homes nearby suffering severe damage. Ukrainian reports state that eight high-explosive aerial bombs were used during the strikes.
Ukraine Calls It a War Crime
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, denounced the attack on X (formerly Twitter), labeling it “another war crime” by Russia.
“Putin’s regime, which also issues threats against the United States through some of its mouthpieces, must face economic and military blows that strip it of the capacity to wage war,” Yermak wrote.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow’s forces have routinely targeted Zaporizhzhia — one of Ukraine’s most vulnerable frontline regions — with drones, missiles, and aerial bombs, despite international condemnation.
Why Zaporizhzhia Remains a Target
Russia unilaterally declared the annexation of parts of Zaporizhzhia and three other Ukrainian regions early in the war — a move denounced by Kyiv and Western allies as illegal land grabs.
Despite both sides claiming not to target civilians, thousands of Ukrainians have died, with Zaporizhzhia frequently facing massive shelling and strikes.
No Kremlin Response Yet
As of July 29, 2025, Russia has not commented on the strikes. Reuters could not independently verify the reports, though images show destroyed housing blocks and rescue workers pulling survivors from debris.
With the war escalating, Zaporizhzhia stands as a symbol of Ukrainian resilience and suffering, trapped between Russia’s territorial ambitions and Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty.
Zaporizhzhia Governor Ivan Fedorov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said that the correctional facility’s buildings were destroyed, and nearby private homes were also damaged.
Putin’s regime, which also issues threats against the United States through some of its mouthpieces, must face economic and military blows that strip it of the capacity to wage war.
— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) July 29, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, condemned the strikes as “another war crime” committed by Russia. “(Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s regime, which also issues threats against the United States through some of its mouthpieces, must face economic and military blows that strip it of the capacity to wage war,” Mr. Yermak said on X. Moscow forces have regularly attacked Zaporizhzhia, using drones, missiles and aerial bombs, since the start of the war that Russia started with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia unilaterally declared early in the war its annexation of parts of Zaporizhzhia and areas in and around three other Ukrainian regions. Kyiv and its Western allies called the move an illegal land grab. Mr. Fedorov said that Russian forces launched eight strikes on the Zaporizhzhia district, reportedly using high-explosive aerial bombs. Reuters could not independently verify Mr. Fedorov’s report. There was no immediate comment from Russia.
Both sides deny targeting civilians in their strikes, but thousands of civilians have been killed in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian.
No Russian Response Yet
As of Tuesday evening, the Kremlin has not issued a statement regarding the incident. Reuters could not independently verify the Ukrainian reports, but images from the scene show smoldering debris, destroyed housing blocks, and emergency workers pulling survivors from rubble.
With the war showing no sign of abating, Zaporizhzhia continues to be a symbol of both Ukrainian resilience and suffering, caught between Russia’s attempts at territorial control and Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty.
One in All
Russian airstrikes on July 28, 2025, killed 16 people and injured at least 35 after hitting a penal colony and nearby homes in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, Governor Ivan Fedorov said. Ukrainian officials reported that eight high-explosive aerial bombs destroyed the correctional facility and damaged surrounding residential areas. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, condemned the attack as a “war crime,” urging stronger international action against Russia. Zaporizhzhia, partially annexed by Moscow in 2022, has faced repeated drone and missile strikes, despite Russia denying civilian targeting. The Kremlin has yet to respond, and Reuters could not independently verify the claims.
