A Russian drone attack on a market in southern Ukraine has killed five people and injured 21, including a 14-year-old girl, the prosecutor general's office says.
The attack took place at 09:50 local time (06:50 GMT) in the town of Nikopol, just across the Dnipro river from land occupied by Russia since their full-scale invasion.
Pictures published by the regional prosecutor show smashed market kiosks strewn with metal, glass, and food.
This tragedy comes after at least 15 civilians were killed in drone and missile strikes across the country recently.
In a retaliatory attack, a Ukrainian drone strike on the southern Russian city of Taganrog resulted in one death and several injuries, according to Russian sources.
The regional governor Yuri Slyusar reported that the attack caused a fire at a logistics company in Taganrog.
A Ukraine Defence Ministry official has attributed casualties from the ongoing conflict to Russian air defence operations.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military has claimed hitting a factory in Togliatti that allegedly supplied parts to the Russian military.
Notably, Nikopol has been a frequent target, leading many of its residents to evacuate.
The recent attacks occurred during busy morning hours, resulting in significant loss of life and injuries.
Two additional men were injured in a follow-up strike at the same location, prompting an investigation into the attacks as potential war crimes.
President Zelensky has proposed a truce for the upcoming Easter holidays, but Russia has not responded positively.
In a troubling development, Russian forces reportedly launched nearly 300 drones at Ukraine overnight, leading to further casualties in different regions.
As military actions escalate, the push for peace remains stalled, particularly as international attention has shifted towards conflicts in the Middle East.
