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In Zaporizhzhia, the number of people injured following Wednesday evening’s Russian airstrike has risen to 25, including six children. According to regional military administrator Ivan Fedorov, one of the victims was even a three-month-old baby.
The attack took place on July 23, when Russian forces struck the southern city with five guided bombs. According to authorities, the attack severely damaged homes, a private medical center, a preschool, and several vehicles. Emergency services were still working at the affected sites on Thursday morning and evening.
Zaporizhzhia is located close to the front lines and has been a regular target of Russian drones, missiles, artillery, and airstrikes for years. Before the war, the city had a population of approximately 710,000. As the capital of a partially occupied region, it remains strategically and symbolically important to both sides.
The attack on the city comes at a time when the broader region around Zaporizhzhia is also under heavy pressure. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported on Thursday that military activity had disrupted the water supply in parts of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and in surrounding areas. The organization did note, however, that there is still sufficient well water available to keep the reactor fuel cool.
According to the IAEA, on-site observers have also had only limited access to tap water since July 18. Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized that reliable access to basic utilities is essential for the staff and for the continuation of their work. At the same time, he did not single out either of the warring parties as responsible for the disruption.
The nuclear power plant, which has six reactors, came under Russian control shortly after the Russian invasion in February 2022. Since then, Moscow and Kyiv have regularly accused each other of actions that jeopardize nuclear safety. Grossi reiterated that nuclear power plant staff “must be protected at all times.”
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