A second strike made the attack even more horrifying, hitting people who arrived to help those trapped beneath the rubble.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide condemned Russia’s attack on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih. They stressed that strikes on civilians and emergency responders are unacceptable.

Russian forces attacked the shopping center with drones on August 21. Sixteen people were killed and another 130 were injured. Three people were considered missing. A day of mourning was declared in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on August 22.

Kaja Kallas calls for stronger sanctions pressure

In a post, Kaja Kallas described the attack on Kryvyi Rih as deliberate terror. She said that Russia seeks to make Ukrainian cities uninhabitable and called for stronger restrictions against Moscow.

This is deliberate terror. Russia seeks to make Ukrainian cities uninhabitable. I am proposing the most extensive list of sanctions against Russia since the start of the war. Pressure must increase until Moscow ends the war.

– Kaja Kallas

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also noted that EU foreign and defense ministers would discuss further support for Ukraine at a meeting in Dublin scheduled for less than two weeks later. The topics will include strengthening air and missile defense.

Maia Sandu expresses condolences to the victims

Moldovan President Maia Sandu responded to the Russian strikes on Kryvyi Rih and other Ukrainian cities. She expressed support for the families of those killed and for the injured, many of whom were children.

I am shocked by Russia’s barbaric attacks on Kryvyi Rih and other cities. Our hearts are with the families mourning their loved ones and with all those injured, including so many children.

– Maia Sandu

Espen Barth Eide condemns the repeated strike

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide described the double Russian strike on the shopping center as unacceptable. He noted that after attacking the site, Russian forces launched another strike on people who had arrived to help the victims.

I condemn this unacceptable Russian double strike on the shopping center in Kryvyi Rih – first on the center itself, and then on those who rushed to help. Civilians and emergency responders must be protected, not targeted.

– Espen Barth Eide

The reactions of European leaders underscore the condemnation of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and calls to strengthen the protection of Ukrainian cities.