Russische drone treft markt in Oekraïense stad Nikopol
Nikopol, zaterdag, 4 april 2026.
Vijf doden en negentien gewonden vielen vrijdagochtend toen een Russische drone insloeg op een drukke markt in Nikopol. De aanval vond plaats rond 09:50 uur lokale tijd. Onder de slachtoffers is een 14-jarig meisje dat in kritieke toestand verkeert. Ook een 88-jarige vrouw behoorde tot de doden. Nikopol ligt tegenover Russisch-bezet gebied aan de oevers van de Dnipro. Het is een bekend doelwit voor herhaalde aanvallen. Het openbaar ministerie noemt de aanval een oorlogsmisdaad. Internationale bezorgdheid groeit over de veiligheid van burgers nabij de frontlinie.
russian drone strike hits nikopol market
In the early hours of Saturday, April 4, 2026, a Russian drone attack struck a marketplace in Nikopol, Ukraine, killing five people and wounding nineteen others [1]. The assault occurred around 09:50 local time, targeting a densely populated area during peak activity [4]. Among the deceased were three women and two men, including an 88-year-old woman [3]. One of the injured, a 14-year-old girl, remains in critical condition [3][5]. First responders reported severe damage to commercial stalls and adjacent infrastructure.
authorities confirm war crime allegations
Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office condemned the attack as a deliberate war crime perpetrated by the Russian Federation, confirming fatalities and injuries via an official Telegram statement [1][3]. Local authorities in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast verified the deployment of FPV (First-Person View) drones in the assault [5][6]. Regional Governor Oleksandr Ganja disclosed the identities of the victims and emphasized ongoing investigations into the tactical origins of the strike [3][5]. Criminal proceedings have officially commenced under Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which addresses violations of the laws of war [6].
nikopol’s vulnerability amid ongoing conflict
Located directly across the Dnipro River from Russian-controlled territory, Nikopol has faced repeated bombardments since the beginning of the invasion in 2022 [1][3]. Its proximity to the frontline makes it highly susceptible to drone and artillery attacks [1][4]. Despite heightened air defenses, waves of over 200 drones launched overnight overwhelmed some detection systems, with at least several reaching urban centers [4]. Civil defense units report increasing difficulty protecting civilians during daylight hours, especially in open public spaces such as markets [6]. International observers express growing alarm over patterns of violence targeting non-combatant areas along contested borders [1][3].