Russian Air Strikes Target Kharkiv, Injuring At Least 41
Recent air strikes by Russian forces have left at least 41 individuals injured in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, according to local officials. Among the wounded are five children, raising further concerns about civilian safety as regional head Oleh Syniehubov condemned the attacks, claiming they specifically targeted civilian infrastructure.
The strikes resulted in damage to various buildings, including a supermarket and a sports complex frequently visited by local residents. President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the assaults, stating, "Russia is once again terrorizing Kharkiv," and emphasized the need for Ukraine’s Western allies to provide necessary defense support.
Syniehubov reported that at least 10 distinct strikes were recorded, which involved ballistic missiles. Rescue operations are ongoing in hopes of locating individuals possibly trapped beneath rubble.
In a series of drone attacks targeting Russia, Ukrainian forces also struck overnight, leading to fires at two energy facilities without reported casualties on the Russian side. According to Russian defense sources, over 158 Ukrainian drones attempted to target multiple regions, including Moscow, with claims that they were intercepted successfully.
Local reports indicated that an oil refinery in Moscow caught fire as a result of the drone strikes, as well as incidents near the Konakovo Power Station. Russian officials confirmed that fires from drone attacks were contained, yet they did not specify the extent of the damage.
In addition, a Russian air strike in Ukraine’s Sumy region resulted in the death of a 23-year-old lorry driver and injuries to four others as a grain convoy was hit, with damage suffered by approximately 20 vehicles. Ukrainian air forces claimed to have downed eight out of 11 drones employed by Russia in recent assaults, which also targeted agricultural facilities in Mykolaiv.
As combat intensifies in Eastern Ukraine, Russian forces are reportedly making rapid advancements in the Donetsk region, targeting critical logistical hubs essential for Ukrainian military operations. Commanders have described the situation in these areas as challenging but are confident in their strategic responses.
These developments follow a series of deadly attacks last week that killed nine individuals, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian and military crises impacting both nations since the onset of intensified conflict in February 2022.
