Russian Strikes On Zaporizhzhia And Poltava Kill Seven Including Children, As Zelensky Warns Of Massive Attack

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

At least seven people have been killed and 38 others injured in fresh Russian attacks across Ukraine, with guided aerial bomb strikes on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia and the eastern Poltava region claiming the lives of civilians, including children. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the casualties on Sunday, June 21, 2026, while also warning that Russia is preparing for a new large-scale attack in the coming days.

According to President Zelensky, Russian forces launched nine guided aerial bombs on civilian infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia on Saturday, June 20, resulting in five deaths and 26 injuries. In the Poltava region, shelling killed two people and wounded 12 others, including six children. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS) initially reported 12 injuries in Zaporizhzhia but later confirmed the recovery of a deceased woman from a collapsed private residence, bringing the local death toll to five. In Poltava, emergency services deployed over 100 personnel and 27 pieces of equipment to extinguish fires at industrial enterprises caused by the strikes.

In northeastern Ukraine, the Sumy City Military Administration reported that seven guided aerial bombs struck the northwestern section of the city, killing one person and injuring five others while damaging at least 20 private residences, school grounds, and other infrastructure. The attacks also targeted the Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Odesa, Donetsk, Kirovohrad, and Rivne regions, with frontline and border communities coming under constant drone attacks.

President Zelensky revealed the staggering scale of Russia's aerial campaign over the past week. "In total, this week alone, the Russians launched about 2,200 attack drones, more than 1,800 guided aerial bombs, and 87 missiles of various types against Ukraine," he said. In his Sunday statement, the president highlighted the continuous targeting of Ukrainian communities and expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.

In a separate development, Zelensky issued a stark warning to Ukrainians on the evening of June 20, stating that Russia has already prepared for a new massive strike and urging citizens to remain vigilant to air raid warnings in the coming hours. "Please stay safe," he said. The president also noted that Russia had already launched new attacks earlier in the day, using more than 200 Shahed-type kamikaze drones. He stressed that Russia has not stopped the war despite all proposals already being on the table, and that Russian leader Vladimir Putin "must make a choice in favor of diplomacy and a normal peace". He reiterated that Ukraine's proposal for a direct and honest dialogue remains open.

Amid the escalating violence, Zelensky also addressed Ukraine's international partners, stating that recent diplomatic engagements—including the G7 summit, European Council meetings, and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) sessions—yielded productive results and secured new contributions for Ukraine's defense. He stressed the urgent need for the rapid implementation of these agreements, particularly the supply of air defense missiles, "so that the new contributions provide real protection of lives from constant Russian strikes".

The deadly strikes on Zaporizhzhia and Poltava are part of a broader pattern of Russian aggression targeting populated areas across the country. Ukrainian officials have reported that a significant number of drones were shot down, but some strikes did get through. The attacks have also forced the temporary suspension of traffic across the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station (DniproHES) dam following the strikes.

As of Sunday evening, emergency services continued to assess the damage and provide assistance to those affected by the attacks. The Ukrainian government has called on international partners to accelerate the delivery of air defense systems to protect its citizens from what it describes as relentless Russian aggression. With Russia reportedly preparing for another large-scale offensive, the coming days remain fraught with danger for millions of Ukrainians living under the constant threat of aerial bombardment.

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