Friday after several Russian drones struck a shopping center in Kropyvnytskyi, Zelensky’s birthplace, at least 16 people were killed and more than 130 were injured.

Zelensky said his country would respond to the act with “brutal” retaliation.

Olexander Hanza, the regional governor, said 22 children were among the victims of the deadly attack on Kropyvnytskyi.

Hanza said: “29 people, including five children, are in critical condition.” He released an image showing black smoke rising from a large industrial building.

In the latest update in the early hours of Saturday, Hanza said that, according to initial assessments, 9 people, including two children, are considered missing and rescuers are still clearing rubble from the shopping center.

Zelensky called the attack “completely malicious and hateful,” and said a second Russian drone hit the shopping center half an hour after the first drone. He said the second attack was an “intentional” attempt to target rescue workers.