Russian troops attacked Zaporizhzhia with drones. A 63-year-old man was injured, and following one of the strikes, a two-storey retail complex containing shops and pavilions caught fire. The fire spread across 900 square metres. Firefighters extinguished the blaze whilst working under the constant threat of further strikes.
Briefly about the main points
- Russian drones attacked Zaporizhzhia.
- A 63-year-old man was injured.
- The fire engulfed 900 square metres of the retail premises.
- Debris and the blast wave caused damage to neighbouring buildings.
- The emergency services have finished extinguishing the fire, whilst remaining on alert for a possible second outbreak.
The fire engulfed the shops and pavilions
Following the strikes, a two-storey retail complex caught fire, along with nearby shops and pavilions. The total area affected by the fire was 900 square metres.
The blast wave and debris caused damage to neighbouring buildings. Photographs released by the emergency services show battered façades, shattered windows and structural damage to the commercial premises.
Work continued under the threat of further attacks
Fire and rescue units arrived promptly at the site of the strike. They fought the fire whilst under constant threat of a renewed Russian attack.
The fire was completely extinguished. The emergency services were called in to assist, and they also inspected the damaged buildings and checked the surrounding area.
There are no reports of the fire reigniting or of people who may have been trapped beneath the building structures.
Details regarding the condition of the injured person and the extent of the damage are being clarified
A 63-year-old man sustained injuries as a result of the blows. No details regarding his condition or whether he requires hospitalisation have been released at this stage.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. Following the initial emergency work, experts will need to assess the condition of the damaged buildings and whether they can continue to be used.
The first public reports of the attack emerged around midnight on 25 July. The head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration Ivan Fedorov Before the strike, he warned of the threat of attack drones being deployed towards the city, and later reported a fire, casualties and damage to a retail premises as the initial consequences of the attack.
The attacks are causing damage to urban and commercial buildings
The latest strike has hit civilian commercial infrastructure. Damage to neighbouring buildings indicates that the effects of the explosion extended beyond the immediate point of impact.
The attack took place against a backdrop of intense attacks on Zaporizhzhia in July. According to the city council, following another Russian attack on 16 July, 39 private homes were damaged, two of which were almost completely destroyed, and three people were killed.
Residents are urged to respond to air-raid sirens and remain in shelters until the all-clear is officially given, as there is a risk of further strikes following the initial attack.
