Russia Condemns Deadly Strikes in Kirov and Kirillovka

Dragon Media News Desk

Russia has strongly condemned deadly attacks on an industrial facility in the city of Kirov and a tourist accommodation site in Kirillovka, in the Russian-controlled part of the Zaporozhye Region.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova issued a statement on July 25 accusing the Ukrainian Armed Forces of deliberately targeting civilians. She also urged international organisations, responsible governments and independent media not to remain silent about the incidents.

According to Russian authorities, a missile struck an industrial facility in Kirov on July 24. Preliminary reports said six people were killed and 26 others injured, but the Kirov regional government later revised the toll to five dead and 27 wounded after one person initially reported missing and presumed dead was found alive.

Kirov Region Governor Alexander Sokolov said 14 of the injured received outpatient treatment, while 13 remained in hospital. The regional authorities declared three days of mourning from July 25 to 27.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed an attack in Kirov, saying the target was an industrial facility linked to the production of military aircraft and missile components. The Russian and Ukrainian sides therefore offered differing accounts of the target. Russia described it as a facility employing civilians, while Ukraine identified it as part of Russia’s military-industrial sector.

On the following night, drones struck a tourist accommodation area near the coast in Kirillovka, according to Russian-appointed local authorities. The latest Russian figures said 12 people were killed and 19 injured. Initial reports listed four children among the dead, while later local accounts put the number at five, leaving some discrepancy in the casualty figures.

Kirillovka lies in the Russian-controlled part of the Zaporozhye Region, which is internationally recognised as Ukrainian territory. Because the site is under Russian control, the casualty figures and circumstances of the attack have not been independently verified. Ukraine had not issued an immediate formal response to the Kirillovka incident.

Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under terrorism-related provisions and launched an investigation. Local authorities said search and rescue operations were continuing.

Zakharova expressed condolences to the families and friends of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery. She also sought to hold the Ukrainian leadership and Western countries providing Kyiv with military and political support responsible for the attacks, although no independent investigation has yet established such responsibility.

The incidents occurred amid an intensification of long-range missile and drone attacks by both Russia and Ukraine. During the same period, Ukrainian authorities also reported civilian deaths and injuries from Russian strikes in several regions. Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians, but the continuing attacks are causing growing humanitarian losses on both sides.