Ukraine: At least 2 dead as Russian missile hits 'crowded' shopping mall in Kremenchuk

In a shocking development coming from central Ukraine, a Russian missile strike hit a crowded shopping centre in Kremenchuk city on Monday, killing at least two people and 20 were wounded. casualties are likely to rise. Over 1,000 people were inside mall at time of attack, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"Russian strikes shopping centre in Kremenchuk, while over thousand people inside. mall is on fire, firefighters are trying to extinguish fire, number of victims is impossible to imagine," Zelenskyy said while sharing devasting visuals, reported Kyiv Independent.

After incident, Deputy Head of presidential office, Kyryl Tymoshenko, confirmed that at least two were dead and about 20 people were injured, of whom nine were in serious condition.

'Was threat to Russian army': Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy stressed that mall presented “ threat to Russian army” and had “ strategic value.” He accused Putin administration of sabotaging “people’s attempts to live a rmal life, which make occupiers so angry.”

Kremenchuk’s mayor Vitaliy Maletskiy also said that people have been killed in an attack on a mall which had links to armed forces. "A rocket attack on Kremenchuk hit a very crowded area, which is 100% certain t to have any links to armed forces. re are killed and injured people," said mayor, AP reported.

attack comes at a time when Russia was launching a full-scale assault on last Ukrainian strong in eastern Luhansk and, according to local goverr, "pouring fire" on city of Lysychansk from ground and air. Leaders from West vowed to continue to support Kyiv unwaveringly.

When NATO leaders meet in Spain for a summit, y will decide to provide Ukraine with more military assistance, including secure communication and anti-drone systems, according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.