5 Killed in Ukrainian Strike on Market in Occupied Zaporizhzhia, Pro-Kremlin Official Says

July 3, 2026 Damage caused by what pro-Kremlin officials say was a Ukrainian strike on a market in Tokmak on July 3, 2026. Social media At least five people were killed and 18 others were wounded in an afternoon drone strike on a market in the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region of southern Ukraine, Kremlin-installed officials said Friday, blaming the Ukrainian military for the deadly attack. “We can now confirm that five local residents were killed as a result of this deliberate strike on the Tokmak marketplace,” Yevgeny Balitsky, the pro-Russia head of the Zaporizhzhia region, wrote in a post on Telegram. Tokmak, located around 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of the city of Zaporizhzhia, had a pre-war population of just under 30,000. Balitsky published photos of medics treating bloodied victims at the outdoor market. “This was an attack against the civilian population, against people who came to buy groceries,” the pro-Russia official wrote. “Those who deliberately strike civilian targets are responsible for this tragedy.” The Investigative Committee, Russia’s top investigative body, said it opened a criminal probe into the incident, which it is treating as an act of terrorism. Ukraine did not immediately respond to the accusations. Russian forces took control of Tokmak in March 2022 during the opening weeks of the full-scale invasion. The Kremlin claims to have annexed the broader Zaporizhzhia region, alongside three other Ukrainian territories. Read more about: Occupied Ukraine , Zaporizhzhia , Ukraine war Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russia Says Situation at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Under Control Europe's largest atomic energy plant lost power on Sept. 23, the longest of the 10 outages it has undergone since Russia seized the station. 2 Min read Russia Relocates Some Displaced Kursk Residents to Occupied Ukraine Kursk authorities said they are working with Moscow-appointed officials in the Zaporizhzhia region to accommodate evacuees at resorts and health spas near... 1 Min read IAEA Chief To Hold Talks With Putin About Ukraine Nuclear Plant Rafael Grossi last met Putin in St. Petersburg in October 2022 to discuss safety issues involving the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. 2 Min read Russia Orders Partial Evacuation Near Ukraine Front Line The Russia-installed head of the Zaporizhzhia region reported an increase in shelling from the Ukrainian side. 1 Min read