A 500-kilogram aerial bomb crashed into Dobropillia's busiest commercial area in frontline Donetsk Oblast on the evening of 16 July. Two people died. Twenty-seven others were wounded.
Russia also deliberately targets civilians in its daily attacks on Ukraine that strike residential buildings, schools, hospitals and energy infrastructure. The strategic motives likely include attempting to break Ukrainian morale and pressure Ukraine into concessions amid stalled peace negotiations.
The bomb struck near the store precisely when workers were heading home, according to Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets. The timing and location suggest the strike was designed to maximize civilian casualties in a crowded area.
"Russians again deliberately struck where it's always crowded—at a shopping center in the city center," said Vadym Filashkin, head of Donetsk Regional Military Administration.
The pattern is clear: maximum civilian casualties in minimum time.
Russian strike damages stores and apartments
The blast shredded 54 commercial establishments and damaged 304 apartments across 13 residential buildings. Eight cars were destroyed. A two-story store burst into flames, covering 250 square meters before emergency crews extinguished it.
Rescuers pulled a dead woman from the rubble hours after the initial strike. Search teams believe more bodies remain buried.
Civilians flee Donetsk Oblast amid escalating attacks
About 22,600 people remain in Dobropillia despite the escalating attacks. But 980 residents fled the city this month alone, Filashkin reported.
How many attacks have they endured? Thirty-eight separate bombardments since July began. That's more than one attack per day.
Ukraine also banned civilian traffic between Kramatorsk and Dobropillia just one day before the bombing. The reason: Russia increased FPV drone attacks along that route, making travel too dangerous for civilians.
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Russia also deliberately targets civilians in its daily attacks on Ukraine that strike residential buildings, schools, hospitals and energy infrastructure. The strategic motives likely include attempting to break Ukrainian morale and pressure Ukraine into concessions amid stalled peace negotiations.
