Drone Attack Sparks Major Fire at Shopping Center in Russian-Occupied Mariupol

A drone attack sparked a large fire overnight at what was believed to be a shopping center in Russian-occupied Mariupol.Videos and photographs shared online showed flames engulfing a large building and thick smoke rising over the city during the night of Sept. 6-7.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The independent Russian Telegram channel Astra reported that the burning building was likely the Galaktika shopping center, formerly a Ukrainian Metro store.The exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage could not be independently verified.It is also reported, according to sources, that during the attack on occupied Mariupol, a gas station next to a shopping center caught on fire.It is reported that this was the last “Galaktika” gas station in the occupied Donetsk Oblast.Local reports said no casualties had been recorded as of Monday morning, while the fire was still burning.The incident follows a series of fires and reported drone attacks involving Galaktika shopping centers in Russian-occupied parts of the Donetsk region.A shopping center from the same chain caught fire in occupied Donetsk on Aug. 15 after residents reported drones flying over the city. Astra said it was at least the third fire at a Galaktika location in the occupied region that month.Additionally, a Galaktika shopping center in occupied Makiivka was attacked and caught fire overnight on Aug. 9-10.Another location in Yenakiieve was largely destroyed after a drone attack on Aug. 14. Two employees were injured, according to Russian emergency officials, who said the fire spread across roughly 8,000 square meters (1,977 acres). Other Topics of Interest US Peace Push Gains Momentum, But 3 Ex-Ambassadors See Little Change in Putin’s Position Former US ambassadors say a deal still hinges on Moscow, while territory and credible security guarantees remain major obstacles to ending the war. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.