Russian President Vladimir Putin made a series of statements regarding the war in Ukraine on Saturday, Aug. 22, after a Russian drone strike on a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih killed at least 16 civilians and injured 140.
In an interview with Russian state media propagandist Pavel Zarubin, Putin claimed that Russian strikes on Ukraine impact the course of combat operations in the “most direct and positive way.”
Addressing the recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and infrastructure, Putin attempted to reassure the Russian public, claiming that Ukraine had failed to achieve a turning point in the conflict.
He asserted that Russian forces have increased the pace of their offensive and are “confidently solving the tasks” of what Moscow calls its “special military operation.”
The Russian leader stated that by targeting Russian economic sites, Kyiv had “opened a Pandora’s box.” Putin claimed that Russia’s retaliatory strikes are “more destructive” than the Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory, despite Russia’s systematic targeting of Ukrainian civilian infrastructure since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
During the interview, Putin also dismissed Ukrainian proposals for a ceasefire as “exotic and unacceptable,” accusing Kyiv of attempting to intimidate Russians and disrupt the country’s simulated elections.
Deadly double-tap strike on Kryvyi Rih mall
Putin’s comments defending Russian strikes coincided with rescue operations in Kryvyi Rih, where authorities reported that nine people, including two children, remained missing after a Russian double-tap drone attack on a major shopping center.
The afternoon attack struck the mall in two waves. According to Ukrainian officials, the second drone hit approximately 30 minutes after the first, specifically targeting the emergency responders who had arrived to extinguish fires and search for survivors.
The strike killed 16 people and injured 140, including 23 children. At least 29 of the injured were reported in serious condition.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack on his hometown as deliberate.
“An absolutely cynical and despicable strike was carried out by the Russians against an ordinary shopping center in Kryvyi Rih,” Zelensky said. “Attacks like these are nothing less than terrorist acts. And the world must respond to them accordingly – with real pressure on the aggressor.”
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also accused Russia of utilizing the double-tap tactic to maximize casualties, calling it “pure terror” and urging international partners to immediately provide additional anti-missile capabilities.