Day of Mourning Declared in Nikopol for Victims of Saturday Market Attack
A day of mourning has been declared in the city of Nikopol, located in the Dnipropetrovsk region, following a horrific strike by Russian forces on the local market that resulted in the deaths of five individuals and left 28 others injured.
In the city of Nikopol, situated in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine, a day of mourning has been officially declared for the victims of a devastating attack carried out by Russian military forces on the city's market. This tragic incident occurred on Saturday, April 4, when the assault claimed the lives of five people, including three women and two men, while 28 others sustained injuries, among them a 14-year-old girl who is currently hospitalized in critical condition.
The head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Hanzha, reported the tragedy via the social media platform Telegram. He emphasized the somber nature of the day, stating that the people of Nikopol would mourn those who lost their lives due to the Russian attack. Hanzha detailed that the assault resulted in the deaths of three women and two men, and highlighted the critical condition of the injured minor.
Hanzha underscored that the Russian occupiers deliberately chose the timing of the attack—early in the morning on a weekend—when the market was bustling with people. He asserted that this was not a random act but a calculated strike against civilians, representing an act of terror against peaceful residents. “This is deliberate terror against peaceful civilians,” he stated emphatically.
According to information provided by Hanzha, the Russian forces struck the Nikopol market around 9:50 AM using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). As a result of this strike, five individuals lost their lives, and 21 others were injured. Following a secondary strike on the market, which occurred shortly after the first, two additional men were wounded. Furthermore, the attack caused damage to commercial premises, inflicting additional losses on local entrepreneurs.
In light of these events, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have initiated a criminal proceeding for war crimes under Article 438 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code. This action reflects the seriousness of the situation and the intentions of Ukrainian authorities to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable.
Unfortunately, the violence did not cease with the market attack. On Sunday morning, following the strike on the market, Russian forces launched another assault, this time targeting a civilian vehicle in Nikopol. This incident resulted in the death of one man, while a 60-year-old woman sustained severe injuries and is currently in critical condition. These events have sparked outrage and concern among local residents, who have already witnessed numerous acts of violence against civilians.
The tragedy that unfolded in Nikopol serves as a stark reminder of the horrific consequences of war for ordinary people who become victims of aggression. Authorities are calling on the international community to pay attention to these crimes and to take measures to protect civilians in Ukraine.