Escalating strikes kill dozens as Russia targets Kyiv’s historic book market

The conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces is intensifying, with both sides launching increasingly frequent attacks on civilian infrastructure. Ukraine fired more than 800 drones into Russian territory in a single night, with some detonating in residential areas and killing at least five people. The strikes also damaged another warehouse belonging to Wildberries, Russia’s largest e-commerce platform, which caught fire in the attack.

In retaliation, Russian forces struck Kyiv’s historic Petrivsky Market, a beloved open-air book bazaar that has operated for generations. The market erupted in flames as shells hit the stalls, destroying merchandise and leaving vendors devastated. One bookseller, Dmitro, described the scene simply: “Everything is gone.”

The humanitarian toll continues to mount as the two nations trade blows against civilian targets. Ukraine claims that North Korean troops are being mobilised to support Russian forces, with President Volodymyr Zelensky warning that 50,000 North Korean soldiers are heading towards the front lines. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone was shot down over Romania, further expanding the geographical scope of the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.

The escalation marks a significant shift in the war’s tactics, with both sides increasingly willing to target civilian infrastructure and populated areas rather than focusing solely on military objectives.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.