Russian Strike Sparks Massive Fire at Zaporizhzhia Shopping Centre as Building Is Destroyed

Image Credit: AP

A Russian drone strike on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia has destroyed a shopping centre and triggered a massive fire, as Russia continued a series of attacks across Ukrainian cities.

The strike hit a supermarket and shopping complex on the right bank of Zaporizhzhia late on Thursday, according to Ukrainian regional authorities. Footage from the scene showed the building engulfed in flames, with thick smoke rising over the area as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service later said the shopping complex had been destroyed in the drone attack, while one person was injured. Firefighters eventually extinguished the blaze, which covered an area of more than 10,000 square metres. Emergency crews were forced to take shelter at points because of the continuing threat of further Russian strikes.

The attack came as Russian forces carried out another wave of strikes against Ukrainian cities. Reuters reported that Russian attacks on Thursday hit several areas, including Kyiv, where people were injured and buildings damaged, while strikes were also reported in other regions. The pattern comes amid an intensification of Russian drone attacks, including increasingly frequent strikes during daylight hours.

The Zaporizhzhia strike also formed part of a broader overnight drone offensive. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 93 drones and other aerial weapons from several locations between Thursday evening and Friday morning, with Ukrainian air defences reporting that 72 were destroyed or jammed.

Local Ukrainian officials said civilian infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia had also been hit during the wider attacks, with reports of strikes affecting businesses, transport facilities and other commercial areas. The shopping-centre fire caused extensive destruction, leaving emergency crews dealing with the aftermath while the threat of additional attacks remained.

The latest strike comes as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled. Al Jazeera reported that peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have made little progress even as the United States has sought to broker pauses in the fighting. Meanwhile, attacks on Ukrainian cities have continued, adding further pressure on civilians and emergency services.

Authorities in Zaporizhzhia have now completed the emergency rescue operation at the shopping centre, while investigations into the damage and circumstances of the strike continue. The attack adds to the growing toll of Russian aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure as the war enters another prolonged phase.