Russian guided bomb attack on an apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, on Saturday resulted in three fatalities and 52 injuries, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to urgently request more assistance to counteract the increasing threat of such weapons.
Images shared online reflected extensive damage to a five-storey apartment building, with shattered windows, damaged balconies, and debris scattered around a crater at the site.
Prosecutors in Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region confirmed the casualties, specifying that the mid-afternoon attack left three dead and 52 injured, including three children. Oleh Syniehubov, the Regional Governor, noted that four individuals are in serious condition.
“This Russian terror through guided bombs must be stopped and can be stopped,” Zelenskyy posted on Telegram. “We need strong decisions from our partners to enable us to stop the Russian terrorists and Russian military aviation right where they are.”
In his subsequent nightly video address, Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces used more than 2,400 guided bombs on Ukrainian targets in June alone, with approximately 700 aimed at Kharkiv. He emphasized that delayed US aid in April had helped mitigate damage and frequency of missile attacks, making a similar strategy crucial now.
“The significant reduction in Russian missile terror against Kharkiv and the region proves it is entirely possible to secure our cities and communities from Russian bombs,” Zelenskyy stated.
Ukraine requires the promised military aid packages “without delay so that the agreements we reached with (US) President Biden can be realised,” he added.
A 10-year bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and the US was signed this month to strengthen Ukraine’s defense against Russia and move it closer to Nato membership. Russia, on the other hand, has increasingly relied on relatively inexpensive guided bombs that can be dropped from a distance, minimizing risks for its forces.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has since made gradual advances in the Donetsk region. It has captured several villages and took control of the key industrial town of Avdiivka over three months ago. Last month, Russia also initiated a cross-border incursion north of Kharkiv, though Zelenskyy reported the situation has stabilized.
Following the latest bombing, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the city experienced four strikes. Regional Governor Syniehubov indicated that rescue operations are ongoing at the affected building, which also housed a store on the ground floor.
Kharkiv Police Chief Serhiy Bolvinov informed public broadcaster Suspilne that three floors of the building had collapsed but believed no one was trapped under the rubble.
Kharkiv, situated about 30 km from the Russian border, has been a frequent target throughout the nearly 28 months of war. Although Moscow denies deliberately targeting civilians, the conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries.
Images shared online reflected extensive damage to a five-storey apartment building, with shattered windows, damaged balconies, and debris scattered around a crater at the site.
Prosecutors in Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region confirmed the casualties, specifying that the mid-afternoon attack left three dead and 52 injured, including three children. Oleh Syniehubov, the Regional Governor, noted that four individuals are in serious condition.
“This Russian terror through guided bombs must be stopped and can be stopped,” Zelenskyy posted on Telegram. “We need strong decisions from our partners to enable us to stop the Russian terrorists and Russian military aviation right where they are.”
In his subsequent nightly video address, Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces used more than 2,400 guided bombs on Ukrainian targets in June alone, with approximately 700 aimed at Kharkiv. He emphasized that delayed US aid in April had helped mitigate damage and frequency of missile attacks, making a similar strategy crucial now.
“The significant reduction in Russian missile terror against Kharkiv and the region proves it is entirely possible to secure our cities and communities from Russian bombs,” Zelenskyy stated.
Ukraine requires the promised military aid packages “without delay so that the agreements we reached with (US) President Biden can be realised,” he added.
A 10-year bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and the US was signed this month to strengthen Ukraine’s defense against Russia and move it closer to Nato membership. Russia, on the other hand, has increasingly relied on relatively inexpensive guided bombs that can be dropped from a distance, minimizing risks for its forces.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has since made gradual advances in the Donetsk region. It has captured several villages and took control of the key industrial town of Avdiivka over three months ago. Last month, Russia also initiated a cross-border incursion north of Kharkiv, though Zelenskyy reported the situation has stabilized.
Following the latest bombing, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the city experienced four strikes. Regional Governor Syniehubov indicated that rescue operations are ongoing at the affected building, which also housed a store on the ground floor.
Kharkiv Police Chief Serhiy Bolvinov informed public broadcaster Suspilne that three floors of the building had collapsed but believed no one was trapped under the rubble.
Kharkiv, situated about 30 km from the Russian border, has been a frequent target throughout the nearly 28 months of war. Although Moscow denies deliberately targeting civilians, the conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries.
