- Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, was targeted in a drone and missile attack.
- At least 4 people have died, and dozens more are wounded.
- Both sides are trading blame over a stalled prisoner exchange.
- Tensions remain high as peace talks stall and attacks continue.
Kharkiv Rocked by Deadly Strikes
Kharkiv, a major city in eastern Ukraine, is reeling after a series of Russian attacks. In the early hours, a large-scale drone and missile assault struck the city, tragically killing at least three people and leaving 21 wounded, according to local authorities. The nightmare continued into the afternoon when Russian forces dropped aerial bombs on the city center, claiming at least one more life and injuring five others. This is a developing story, and we will continue to update as we learn more.
Eyewitness Accounts from the Ground
As emergency crews and firefighters scrambled across the attack sites, residents shared harrowing stories of survival. Alina Belous recounted desperately trying to put out flames with buckets of water, attempting to rescue a young girl trapped in a burning building. Vadym Ihnachenko initially thought a neighboring building was ablaze until he realized the sparks were coming from his own home.
Escalating Attacks and International Response
Ukraine’s air force reported a staggering 215 missiles and drones were launched overnight, with Ukrainian defenses managing to intercept 87 drones and seven missiles. The strikes extended beyond Kharkiv, hitting regions like Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Ternopil. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called for increased international pressure on Moscow and further support for Ukraine to end the violence.
Russia’s Response
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its forces targeted Ukrainian military assets, including ammunition depots, drone assembly workshops, and weapon repair stations. However, there has been no official comment from Moscow regarding the reported casualties in Kharkiv. According to Kharkiv’s Mayor Ihor Terekhov, the attacks damaged 18 apartment buildings and 13 private homes, marking it as “the most powerful attack” on the city since the full-scale invasion began.
Failed Peace Talks and Sabotaged Prisoner Exchange?
Despite diplomatic efforts, peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have failed to yield any significant breakthroughs. The two sides remain deeply divided on the terms for ending the conflict. To add fuel to the fire, Russia and Ukraine are now accusing each other of sabotaging a planned prisoner exchange. Vladimir Medinsky, a Putin aide, claimed that Kyiv abruptly halted the exchange at the last minute. In response, Ukraine accused Russia of manipulating facts and playing “dirty games.”
Video Evidence of Ukrainian Drone Strike
Ukraine’s Security Service released footage purportedly showing its drone attack on Russian airfields, claiming the destruction of 41 Russian military aircraft. The video allegedly depicts a drone striking a Russian strategic bomber at the Belaya airfield.
The Toll on Civilians
The attacks have had a devastating impact on civilians, with children among the wounded. Oleh Syniehubov, the Kharkiv regional governor, reported that two children, including a baby boy and a 14-year-old girl, were among the injured in the morning attacks. Rescue operations are ongoing, with reports of people trapped under the rubble of an industrial facility.