On June 27, 2023, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Russian army launched an Iskander missile strike on downtown Kramatorsk. The enemy’s primary target was the “RIA PIZZA” café and pizzeria—a well-known gathering place for volunteers, journalists, and local residents.
As a result of the attack, 64 people were injured, including an 8-month-old infant; 13 people were killed. Among the dead were three children and seven employees of the establishment. The youngest victims of the attack, twin sisters Yulia and Anna Aksenchenko, were both 14 years old.
The thirteenth victim of the terrorist shelling was Ukrainian writer Viktoria Amelina, who had been documenting war crimes since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The writer died in the hospital on July 1 from her injuries. In early 2026, she was posthumously awarded the 2025 Moore Prize for literary works dedicated to human rights. Her book *Looking at Women Who Look at War* was recognized as the best publication on human rights published between July 2024 and June 2025.
The enemy strike, once again targeting the civilian population, became a symbol of the fragility of life in frontline cities, where a peaceful dinner can turn into a tragedy in a matter of minutes.
Volodymyr Sinenko of Kramatorsk, who carried out the enemy strike on the “RIA PIZZA” café, was sentenced to life in prison.
May all the innocent victims of Russian aggression rest in peace.