A devastating Russian airstrike on an apartment building in Kharkiv has resulted in the deaths of at least seven people, including children, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack, which occurred on Saturday morning, also left several others injured.
Regional governor Oleg Synegubov reported that a missile struck a five-storey residential building, leading to significant destruction. Rescue teams have been deployed to clear debris and search for survivors amid the ruins. Synegubov confirmed that a 65-year-old woman, a 40-year-old man, and a 13-year-old girl were among those killed, with the bodies of four additional victims, including a nine-year-old boy, recovered from the site.
In the wake of the airstrike, air alerts were issued across Ukraine, including in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, as a precaution against further assaults. The Polish air force reported scrambling military jets to protect its airspace, a routine measure during extensive Russian strikes.
Zelensky highlighted that at least ten more individuals, including children, sustained injuries in the attack. He expressed concern that there may still be people trapped under the rubble and emphasized that all necessary services were working diligently at the scene to rescue them.
The overnight assault was part of a broader wave of attacks, with Zelensky stating that Russia launched 29 missiles and 480 drones targeting various regions of Ukraine, particularly energy facilities in Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernivtsi, as well as railway infrastructure in Zhytomyr. He called for a robust response from allied nations to these brutal attacks on civilian life.
In separate incidents related to the escalating conflict, Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, reported that one person was killed and another injured in a drone and artillery strike in the Nikopol district. Additionally, a baby was injured in Zaporizhzhia, and two people sustained injuries from a drone attack in Chuguiv.
As Ukraine continues to face these relentless assaults, the resilience of its people and the commitment of emergency services remain crucial in confronting the ongoing challenges. The stark reality of the conflict compels a united international front in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and the safety of its citizens.