Two mothers among those killed in Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih shopping centre

Two mothers were among those killed in Russian strikes on the Soniachna Haleria shopping centre in the city of Kryvyi Rih – Olena Lavrentieva, a shop assistant, and Diana Paslavska, a shop manager. Each leaves two children.

Stolychna Yuvelirna Fabryka (Stolychna Jewellery Factory) reported the death of Olena Lavrentieva, 41, who had worked as a sales consultant at one of the chain's shops for the past nine years.

"She was an incredibly warm, sincere person, loved by her colleagues and respected by customers. [On the day of the attack] she went out to do her shift as usual. She always greeted people with a smile, and she had plans for the future," Olena's colleagues wrote.

Local media outlet Svoi. Kryvyi Rih reported that Diana Paslavska, 36, was also among those killed. She was the mother of two daughters and worked as a shop manager at Andi.

A former classmate said: "She was always cheerful and had big plans for life. She had a wonderful family – her husband is serving in the military, and they had two beautiful little daughters. Diana loved life, her friends and her family. She was sincere and vibrant, like a ray of sunshine.

Her laughter had a way of drawing everyone in. We can't believe Diana won't be at the next class reunion."

One of Diana's coworkers was also injured on the day of the strike and hospitalised in a serious condition.

Background:

• Russian forces attacked a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih with drones twice on 21 August, causing a major fire. The strikes killed 16 people and injured another 130, including 23 children.
• The fire was only brought under control late in the evening. Emergency and rescue operations are continuing at the site, with nine people reported missing, including two children.
• Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on the international community to respond to Russia's deadly double-tap strike on the Kryvyi Rih shopping centre by immediately tightening sanctions on Russia's military-industrial complex and providing Ukraine with additional air defence capabilities.

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