A devastating Russian missile strike hit an apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, killing three people and injuring 29 others, including two children. The attack has prompted a strong response from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who called for increased support from Kyiv’s allies to stop the “Russian terror.”The strike occurred in the mid-afternoon, with a guided bomb slamming into the residential building and causing widespread destruction. Images posted online showed the building in ruins, with shattered windows, damaged balconies, and debris scattered around a crater on the ground.
According to the Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, the attack resulted in three fatalities and 29 injuries, with four of the injured in critical condition. Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed that two children were among the wounded.
In a Telegram post, President Zelenskyy condemned the attack, describing it as “Russian terror through guided bombs” that must be stopped. He urged Kyiv’s international partners to take decisive actions to help halt the ongoing Russian aggression.”We need strong decisions from our partners to enable us to stop the Russian terrorists and Russian military aviation right where they are,” Zelenskyy wrote.
The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, reported that there had been four strikes on the city, which is located approximately 30 km (20 miles) from the Russian border and has been a frequent target during the nearly 28-month-long conflict.
Rescue efforts were underway, and public transportation services were suspended in the aftermath of the attack. The incident is the latest in a series of Russian strikes targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, a tactic that has become increasingly prevalent as the war drags on.
Russia’s reliance on guided bombs, a relatively inexpensive and low-risk method for its forces, has been a growing concern for Ukrainian authorities and their international allies. The call for increased support from Kyiv’s partners underscores the urgent need to address this threat and protect the civilian population from further harm.
