Russia launched a deadly attack on a high-rise apartment block in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Tuesday, killing at least three people and injuring 22 others. Local officials fear that more victims may be trapped under the rubble. The strike, carried out using guided bombs, has once again brought devastation to the war-torn city.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s ombudsman, condemned the attack, stating, “Russia is terrorizing the Kharkiv region with impunity… A direct strike on a residential building.” Images from the scene revealed a gaping hole in the structure, highlighting the severe damage caused.
Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, noted that the building had been previously damaged during Russia’s initial invasion in 2022. It had recently undergone repairs, with windows installed and insulation added in preparation for the heating season. “The enemy hit it a second time,” Terekhov remarked, expressing frustration over the recurring assaults.
The attack affected at least four districts in the city, including its most densely populated area, according to Terekhov. The regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov, confirmed that several apartment buildings sustained significant damage in the bombing.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has frequently been targeted by Russian forces throughout the war. Moscow’s troops have increasingly relied on guided bombs, which are known for their destructive power and are difficult for Ukrainian air defenses to intercept.
Despite international condemnation, Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians, though thousands have been killed since the conflict began more than two and a half years ago. The Kharkiv attack is yet another reminder of the heavy toll the war has taken on Ukraine’s civilian population as Moscow continues its relentless assault on the region.
