Zelensky shares video of Russian missile strike on Ukrainian shopping mall

LONDON — President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine released CCTV footage Tuesday apparently showing a Russian missile striking a shopping mall with an estimated 1,000 people inside in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk.

The clip, shown during Zelensky’s nightly address to the nation, appears to show a missile hitting a large building site on Monday before it bursts into flames. Zelensky accused Russia of wanting to “kill as many people as possible” and called the strike “one of the most defiant terrorist attacks in European history.”

“Only totally insane terrorists, who should have no place on Earth, can strike missiles at such an object,” Zelensky said. “And this is not an off-target missile strike, this is a calculated Russian strike — exactly at this shopping mall.”

At least 20 people have been confirmed dead, while dozens of others have been reported injured or missing.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that there is a “realistic possibility” that the missile strike was intended for a nearby target. In an intelligence update posted to Twitter, the ministry said that the planners of the strike were “highly likely willing to accept a high level of collateral damage.”

Defense officials added: “It is almost certain that Russia will continue to conduct strikes in an effort to interdict the resupplying of Ukrainian frontline forces.”

Leaders at a G7 summit in Germany issued a joint statement condemning the missile attack as “abominable” and calling it a “war crime.” “Indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians constitute a war crime. Russian President Putin and those responsible will be held to account,” the statement read.

Upon the request of officials in Kyiv, the United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the missile strike. The U.N. described the attack as “deplorable” and said a civilian structure “should never ever be targeted.”