By Russian-appointed officials reported on Friday, August 18, 2024, that a crowded shopping mall in the occupied Ukrainian city of Donetsk caught fire following alleged Ukrainian shelling. Denis Pushilin, the Kremlin-appointed governor of the Donetsk region, accused Ukrainian forces of wounding at least seven civilians in what he described as “targeted massive strikes” on southwestern Donetsk.
According to Pushilin, the attacks damaged a local hospital and set the Galaktika shopping mall ablaze, affecting an area of 10,000 square meters. “Extinguishing the fire is complicated by the operational environment that’s forcing the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry workers to move to a safe distance,” Pushilin stated on social media.
Eyewitness videos shared on social media platforms showed flames and thick black smoke engulfing a large two-story structure in front of an empty parking lot. Russia’s state-run news agency RIA Novosti later released footage of the destroyed front of the commercial building with smoke continuing to rise from the rear.
The TASS news agency, citing local emergency services, reported that two people may have been killed in the Galaktika shopping mall attack. However, this information has not been independently verified.
As of this report, Ukraine has not commented on whether its forces were responsible for the strike.
The incident occurred in territory that Russia claims to have annexed in late 2022, along with three other Ukrainian regions, despite ongoing fighting for control of these areas. This attack highlights the continuing conflict in eastern Ukraine and the impact on civilian infrastructure in occupied territories.
The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
