THE Russia struck with rocket housing complex in Kremenchuk of central Ukraine today, on the first anniversary of the deadly attack on a shopping center in the city, according to Ukrainian officials.

Dmytro Lunin, governor of the Poltava region that includes Kremenchuk, said a complex of country houses was hit, but no casualties were reported.

Ukrainian officials said a year ago that at least 18 people were killed in the Amstor shopping center in a Russian missile strike in Kremenchuk on June 27, 2022. The death toll was later revised to at least 20.

“The enemy attacked the Poltava region. Just like a year ago on this day, with X-22 missiles,” Lunin wrote on the Telegram messaging app. The Russian side did not immediately comment on this attack.

Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ikhnat said earlier today that explosions were heard in the city following a Russian airstrike.

Kremenchuk is home to a Ukrainian oil refinery that has been repeatedly attacked by Russia since its invasion of Ukraine last year. Ukrainian officials have said the refinery has now been shut down.

Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, described today’s attack as an attempt to divert the attention of Russian public opinion after the failed mutiny of the head of the Wagner mercenary organization Yevgeny Prigozhin against the Russian army.

Article photo: Kremenchuk, Ukraine in 2022