Deadly Russian Missile Attack on Zaporizhzhia; Zelensky: 'Evil Government' Attacks Civilians

Ukrainian officials announced on Wednesday, October 18, that a Russian missile attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia left at least two dead and five injured. Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, stated that the missile struck a five-story residential building, destroying eight apartments. Zelensky remarked, 'The evil government [of Russia] continues to use terrorism and war against civilians.' According to Ukrainian officials, Russia targeted the Zaporizhzhia region with six missiles early Wednesday. Another Russian attack in Dnipropertrovsk resulted in the death of one woman and injuries to four others. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government and the United Nations reported on Tuesday that the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in southeastern Ukraine earlier in the summer of 2023 caused nearly $14 billion in damages. Homes were flooded in the disaster-stricken city of Oleshky, Ukraine, following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam by Russia (archive). Ukraine accused Russia of blowing up the dam, which led to flooding in the area with water contaminated by landmines and water shortages in other regions. Moscow denied responsibility for the incident. Initial figures, considering environmental losses, inability to generate electricity, lack of irrigation for agriculture, destroyed housing, and other factors, estimate the damages at nearly $14 billion. In one assessment, in addition to economic losses, environmental impacts in the region have been identified as the greatest concern. A joint report by the World Bank, the United Nations, the European Commission, and the Ukrainian government previously estimated the cost of reconstruction and recovery, solely from the damages incurred in the first year of the war, at $411 billion.