Russian Drone Hits Ukrainian Mall in Broad Daylight, 4 Dead and 60 Injured
A Russian drone attack has struck a shopping centre in the city of Pavlograd, Ukraine, killing four people and injuring 60 others.
According to AFP on Friday (11/9/2026), the attack occurred on Thursday (10/9). Ukrainian authorities stated that the strike took place during the daytime when civilian activity was high.
“About one hour ago, Russia attacked a shopping centre in the centre of Pavlegrad. The incident occurred during the day when the streets were crowded with people,” said Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Vyhivskyi.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is currently on a visit to Canada, stated that four people are reported dead in the attack. He also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
“More than 60 people were injured by this attack alone,” Zelensky said.
Meanwhile, just across the border in the Belgorod region of Russia, a Ukrainian drone attack on the town of Novy Oskol killed one person and injured six others, according to local rescue services.
Facing the increase in attacks, Ukraine has emphasised the urgent need for better air defences—specifically US-made Patriot systems capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
“We are working as intensively as possible with our partners to protect the people of Ukraine from this Russian terror,” said Zelensky, while announcing that Canada will provide an “essential aid package” for Ukraine’s air defence.
Although the Ukrainian leader hinted earlier this week that talks to end the conflict with Russia could take place this month, the Kremlin stated it is too early to discuss the location or date of such implementation.
Amidst Washington’s hopes to revive efforts to end the long-stalled fighting, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump discussed the conflict on Tuesday during a one-hour telephone conversation. The Russian side stated that both leaders engaged in “very frank” and constructive talks.
US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also visited Moscow and Kyiv last weekend in an attempt to restart US-led steps that had long been halted to end the fighting.
Several previous rounds of negotiations failed to bring the positions of the two warring neighbours closer. Moscow demands that Ukraine cede territories in the eastern Donetsk region that they currently control and renounce military support from the West.
Kyiv maintains that such conditions would amount to surrender and would only provide Russia with the opportunity to prepare for new attacks in its attempt to establish a pro-Moscow puppet government.