Russian air strikes have caused injuries to at least 41 people in Kharkiv, Ukraine, with five of the wounded being children. Oleh Syniehubov, the regional head, has accused Moscow of intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure, including a supermarket and a sports complex. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned these attacks as acts of terror against Kharkiv and called for increased support from Western allies to help Ukraine defend itself.
Syniehubov reported that the strikes included at least 10 separate incidents, some involving ballistic missiles. Ongoing rescue operations are attempting to reach those who may be trapped under the rubble from these attacks. Videos from social media have confirmed that the strikes hit various locations in Kharkiv, including Akademika Pavlova Street and the Palace of Sport buildings.
The escalation in Kharkiv follows a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia. These attacks targeted multiple regions, resulting in fires at two energy facilities. While Russian officials reported no casualties, a fire broke out at an oil refinery in Moscow and another at the Konakovo Power Station in the Tver region.
Ukrainian forces have significantly increased their long-range strikes inside Russia, aided by Western technology and funding. Although Ukraine has not officially commented on these strikes, the increase in drone attacks indicates a strategic shift. Ukrainian forces have been targeting key Russian sites, demonstrating a substantial escalation in the conflict.
In addition to the Kharkiv incident, a Russian air strike on a grain convoy in Sumy killed a 23-year-old lorry driver and injured four others. The attack caused significant damage to several lorries and affected agricultural facilities in the Mykolaiv region. This strike is part of the broader conflict involving ongoing Ukrainian military actions and Russian advances.
The recent surge in attacks follows a pattern of Russian strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which began shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The continued violence against civilian areas and critical infrastructure highlights the ongoing intensity and impact of the conflict on both sides.
