Ukraine war: Russian drone strikes on Kharkiv kill six, officials say
Local officials report that a minimum of six individuals have lost their lives in a drone strike conducted by Russia on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
According to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, the Shahed drones of Iranian origin targeted several structures, including residential buildings, in the early hours of Saturday.
Incidents in Kharkiv, situated closest to the Russian border, have seen a surge in frequency in recent weeks.
Ukrainian authorities have voiced concerns that the city could become the focal point of an impending Russian offensive.
Expressing condemnation, Mr. Terekhov stated on the Telegram messaging app, “This assault on the peaceful populace of Kharkiv yet again underscores Russia’s status as a terrorist entity.”
The local prosecutor’s office reports that at least 11 individuals sustained injuries in the attack within the residential Shevchenkivskyi district.
It said high-rise buildings, administrative buildings, dormitories, a kindergarten, shops, cafes and cars were damaged.
Unverified photos published by Ukrainian police showed rescuers at the scene, with damaged and burning buildings visible.
Local police said Moscow fired two missiles, followed by “repeated shelling”, and then drones which attacked during the rescue operations.
Volodymyr Tymoshko, of the local police force, said on social media: “When all relevant services were working at the site of the missile hit, enemy drones arrived.”
Ukraine’s second-largest city has suffered extensive damage from months of Russian bombardment since President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Polish authorities said fighter jets had been scrambled in response to the latest missile attacks on Ukraine.
Authorities in Kyiv said air defences had been activated to repel an attack on the capital.
Ukraine’s military said its air defences destroyed 28 of 32 drones and three of six missiles launched by Russia.
On Thursday, Russian forces attacked Kharkiv with drones, leaving at least four dead, according to Ukrainian officials.
And on Friday, authorities said four people were killed and more than 20 wounded in Russian missile strikes on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia.
