A Russian strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, resulted in the death of six civilians and the injury of 10 others early on Saturday, according to regional officials.
The attack, reported to have been carried out by drones, caused significant destruction to residential areas in Kharkiv's Shevchenkivskyi district. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed the casualties and described the damage, which included multiple high-rise buildings, dormitories, administrative buildings, a shop, a petrol station, and cars.
The strike occurred shortly after midnight, with Ukraine's military reporting that its air defenses successfully intercepted a significant number of drones and missiles launched by Russia. Despite these efforts, the attack still inflicted severe damage and loss of life.
Kharkiv has been a frequent target of Russian attacks, with incidents escalating in recent weeks. Just days before this strike, another drone attack in Kharkiv claimed the lives of four people and caused extensive damage to residential buildings.
Given the heightened tensions, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, expressed concerns that Kharkiv could be a primary target for any new Russian offensive in the coming months.
Following the attack, air raid alerts remained in place for Kharkiv and other parts of Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, for several hours. The ongoing threat underscores the precarious situation faced by civilians in areas targeted by Russian military operations.
