At least 17 people, two of them in critical condition, were injured when Russian missiles ruthlessly struck residential buildings in the heart of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.
The attack, which occurred late on Tuesday night, has left a trail of devastation, with 10 buildings damaged and emergency services scrambling to rescue survivors from the rubble.
Kharkiv Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that two S-300 missiles targeted the city centre, hitting precisely where there is no military infrastructure but instead residential areas.
“Two women are in serious condition,” he shared on Telegram, underscoring the severity of the assault on civilians.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov expressed his dismay, noting that the missiles struck precisely, causing extensive damage to buildings that once served as homes.
“There is plenty of rubble,” he wrote on Telegram, highlighting the challenges faced by rescue teams in navigating the aftermath of the attack.
The indiscriminate nature of the strike is further emphasized by reports that one of the missiles hit a three-story building that had previously housed a medical centre.
The humanitarian impact is severe, as not only are residents grappling with the destruction of their homes but also the loss of crucial healthcare facilities in a city that has already witnessed relentless bombardment since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Kharkiv, situated just 30km from the Russian border in Ukraine’s northeast, has been a frequent target of Russian forces throughout the conflict.
Despite a rapid Ukrainian advance in September 2022 that pushed back Russian forces in the Kharkiv region, the city remains on the front lines of the ongoing hostilities.
While there was no immediate comment from Moscow on the attack, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed that its air defences intercepted seven Ukrainian missiles and four drones over Russia’s Belgorod region, approximately 80km from Kharkiv.
The conflict continues to escalate, with both sides engaging in aerial clashes that threaten civilian lives on an alarming scale.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, reported no immediate casualties on the Russian side.
The situation remains tense as the international community watches with growing concern, urging both parties to cease hostilities and seek a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
As the world grapples with the repercussions of yet another brazen attack on civilians, questions linger about the potential consequences for the already strained relations between Russia and Ukraine.
The toll on innocent lives and the destruction of homes further underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to end the suffering of those caught in the crossfire of geopolitical tensions.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members