Girl, 14, killed as Russian strike hits Kharkiv playground
A 14-year-old girl has tragically died following a Russian-guided bomb strike on a playground in Kharkiv, a city in northeastern Ukraine, according to local officials. The attack also claimed the lives of at least six others and injured 59 people when a 12-story residential building near the Russian border was hit.
Images revealed flames and thick black smoke pouring from the upper floors of the building as firefighters worked to rescue those trapped inside.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his plea for Ukraine’s international allies to permit strikes on targets within Russia to prevent further attacks. His office reported that over 400 drones and missiles had been launched at Ukraine by Russian forces in the past week.
The strike occurred just hours before President Zelensky dismissed Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk, the head of Ukraine’s air force.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, is located approximately 35km (22 miles) from the Russian border and has been a frequent target since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Oleh Sinehubov, the regional head, stated on Telegram that at least 59 people, including nine children, were injured, with 20 in serious condition, some requiring amputations. Additional photos showed a portion of the building’s outer wall collapsed and several cars outside engulfed in flames. Sinehubov mentioned that the strikes were launched from Russia’s Belgorod region, just across the border.
“Let’s say unequivocally that there were guidance systems [on the missiles]. We draw one conclusion,” he said.
“These streets are exclusively parks with large gatherings of civilians. This is a residential building. This is, again, mass terror against our civilian population.”
Mr. Zelensky said Russia had targeted “ordinary” people and the strikes could have been prevented if Ukraine “could destroy Russian military aircraft at their bases”.
“This is an legitimate need. There is no rational reason to limit Ukraine’s defense,” he said.
Ukraine’s Western allies have partly withheld permission for it to use their weapons to strike Russian territory for fear of escalating the conflict.
The UK has allowed much of the equipment it has supplied to be used to hit Russia, though maintains an exception for long-range Storm Shadow missiles.
In May, the US allowed Ukraine to hit targets inside Russia, but only near the Kharkiv region and only to “hit back at Russian forces hitting them or preparing to hit them”.
It continues to refuse permission for strikes deeper into Russian territory.
“We need long-range capabilities and the full implementation of air defense agreements for Ukraine. These are life-saving measures,” Mr Zelensky said.
Responding to Friday’s attacks, the US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, said: “Our thoughts are with the people of Kharkiv as rescue operations are under way.
“Russia must be held accountable for these war crimes.”
Earlier this week, numerous sources told the BBC that Western technology and finance were helping Ukraine carry out hundreds of long-range strikes in Russia using Ukrainian-produced drones.
The targets included air force bases, oil and ammunition depots, and command centres.
Elsewhere, Russian officials said five people were killed by Ukrainian strikes in the western Belgorod region.
Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said a further 37 civilians were wounded in the strikes, which he said were caused by the use of “cluster munitions” by Ukrainian forces.
