Russian strike on shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih: manager of one of supermarkets has been charged with operating business during an air-raid alert. VIDEO
Law enforcement officers have notified the director of a supermarket, who remained at work during an air-raid alert whilst the enemy was attacking a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih with drones, that he is under suspicion.
This was announced by the Minister of the Interior, Ivan Vyhivskyi, according to Censor.NET.
Criminal proceedings and charges against the manager
He noted that police investigators in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, under the procedural guidance of the Dnipropetrovsk region Prosecutor’s Office, have opened criminal proceedings on charges of professional negligence. As part of this, they will, in particular, examine the actions of officials at the company that owns the Kryvyi Rih shopping centre, as well as those at companies that rented premises within the complex.
"Police investigators and prosecutors have just announced that the director of one of the supermarkets is under suspicion," the minister said.
20 minutes between the air-raid alert and the strike
Vygivskyi noted that despite warnings from local authorities to cease operations during air raid alerts, the facility continued to operate. A significant number of fatalities were found there.
"This targeted Russian strike killed 16 people and injured around 130 more. Around 20 minutes passed between the moment the air-raid alert was sounded in the city and the first drone strike," the minister said.
During the investigation, the police will establish, in particular, whether visitors and staff were properly informed, whether a timely instruction to evacuate the building was given, and will also verify information circulating online regarding blocked doors to the shelter.
Furthermore, according to the minister, a comprehensive investigation will be carried out into both the actions of all those responsible and the approved response protocols – to determine whether they were adapted to the real threats in the frontline region.
Vygivskyi called for a response to air threats
Vygivskyi called on leaders at all levels to take threats seriously and to take timely measures to ensure people’s safety.
"This applies in particular to all regions near the front line and on the border with Russia. During an air raid alert, it is important to respond promptly – to prevent crowds from forming and to protect lives," emphasised the Minister of Internal Affairs.
What led up to this?
As a reminder, on 21 August, Russian forces struck a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih. Attack drones carried out the strike in two waves. Sixteen people were reported killed and 130 injured. Sixty-three people remain in hospital with shrapnel wounds, head injuries and burns.
