On Tuesday evening, a devastating Russian missile strike obliterated a bustling pizza restaurant in Kramatorsk, a city in eastern Ukraine. Reports from Ukrainian officials confirm that the attack resulted in the tragic deaths of at least four people, with over 40 others sustaining severe injuries. The head of the regional military administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko, revealed on national television that the restaurant, located in Kramatorsk’s city center, was filled with a large crowd at the time of impact.
According to a statement issued by the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office, one of the fatalities was a 17-year-old girl, and there is a potential for additional casualties as it was uncertain if people were still trapped under the debris. Videos captured at the scene displayed a raging fire consuming a severely damaged building while thick black smoke billowed in the sky. Among the chaos, rescuers valiantly tended to the wounded amidst debris-laden streets, as blaring sirens pierced the air. It took nearly three hours for firefighters to finally extinguish the ferocious blaze, as confirmed by Ukraine’s emergency services.
The targeted restaurant, identified by journalists at the scene as Ria Lounge, is a renowned and longstanding establishment in Kramatorsk, affectionately known as Ria Pizza. Although the invasion in February the previous year had forced its closure, the restaurant eventually recommenced operations several months later. Boasting a delightful outdoor seating area, Ria Lounge enjoys particular popularity during the summer months. Ukrainian soldiers stationed nearby, some of whom have recently returned from the frontlines, frequent the establishment, alongside locals, foreign journalists, and aid workers.
Anastasia Taylor-Lind, a British freelance photographer who happened to be dining inside the restaurant, described the bustling atmosphere around 7:30 p.m. on that fateful Tuesday evening. Ms. Taylor-Lind reported that the kitchen was due to close within the next half-hour. Harrowing moments ensued when a young woman, pushing a baby stroller, sat down near Ms. Taylor-Lind and her colleague. Suddenly, a deafening “roaring” noise filled the air, prompting an immediate realization that an incoming missile was imminent. Moments later, an explosion rocked the premises.
Ms. Taylor-Lind recounted the harrowing experience of feeling scorching hot air, shattered glass, and debris hurtling through the air. The chaos persisted, seemingly unending. In a desperate bid for safety, she and her colleague slid off their chairs and sought refuge in the basement, fearing another strike. Both sustained injuries and were bleeding profusely. To their relief, a kind-hearted member of the waitstaff assisted them by washing the blood off their faces.
Upon emerging from the basement, they were confronted with a scene of devastation — the restaurant resembled a wasteland of shattered glass and twisted metal. Ambulances had yet to arrive, leaving the wounded to rely on the support of unharmed individuals present at the scene. The heartening display of humanity, with those uninjured aiding their injured counterparts, exemplified the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Kramatorsk, situated in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, has managed to preserve some semblance of normalcy despite its proximity to the frontlines. Yet, the city is no stranger to air raid sirens and distant sounds of artillery. Once a bustling industrial hub within the Donbas region, Kramatorsk witnessed an exodus of residents during the onset of the full-scale invasion. However, in recent times, some locals have started returning, hoping to rebuild their lives.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine drew attention to the tragic timing of the missile strike, occurring on the anniversary of an attack on a shopping mall in the city of Kremenchuk, which claimed the lives of 22 individuals. Zelensky revealed that the Russian forces utilized S-300 missiles in Kramatorsk — long-range surface-to-air missiles typically used by Moscow to target ground-based objectives.
As we reflect on this horrifying event, we are reminded of the fragility of life and the resilience of those affected. May the victims of this tragedy find solace, and may the international community strive for peace and justice in the face of such unspeakable violence.
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