Russian attacks on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Saturday have resulted in the deaths of at least six people, according to the governor of Kharkiv Oblast.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, which is located close to the Russian border observed a day of mourning as emergency teams concluded their operations following a devastating Russian bombing raid.
Ukrainian authorities reported that at least 97 individuals, including 24 children, sustained injuries when Moscow targeted the city with five guided aerial bombs.
This attack is considered one of the most significant Russian offensives in the region over the summer.
Among the victims was 14-year-old Sofia, who tragically lost her life while at the playground on Friday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, stating, “These horrific, cowardly Russian strikes targeted ordinary homes and a city park. Russia will be held accountable for all its evil deeds.” Zelensky also reiterated his call for increased Western military support.
Ukrainian Defense Minister emphasized the need for decisive action from international partners to enhance Ukraine’s capability to counter Russian military aircraft, stating, “We need decisions – decisions that our partners can make, decisions from those countries that have the power to ensure we have the capability to destroy Russian military aircraft at their bases, where eliminating these terrorists and their aircraft will be most effective.”
The assault, carried out using Su-34 fighter jets from Russia’s Belgorod region, involved 500-kilogram guided aerial bombs that are difficult to intercept.
Kharkiv regional prosecutor Oleksandr Filchakov noted that the bombs struck civilian infrastructure in four districts of the city, causing extensive damage to 82 apartment buildings, 11 private houses, three administrative buildings, two educational institutions, 47 shopping facilities, 57 cars, two warehouses, 10 garages, and an enterprise facility.
Amidst these attacks, Ukrainian forces launched retaliatory strikes into Russia’s Belgorod region, resulting in at least five deaths and over 50 injuries, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
Most casualties occurred in Belgorod city, where three people were killed and 31 injured, including three children. Governor Gladkov reported that more than 20 individuals remain hospitalized.
Ukrainian operations also extended to Russia’s Kursk region, with further advancements reported.
Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi disclosed that Kyiv’s troops had moved up to 2 kilometers further into the border area and controlled an additional 5 square kilometers of territory.
In addition to the casualties in Kharkiv, Russian attacks on Ukrainian soil over the past 24 hours resulted in at least three deaths and 16 injuries.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces had used an Iskander-M ballistic missile from Voronezh, four S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles from Donetsk, and 52 Shahed drones from Kursk in their overnight assault.
