Russia Strikes Residential Building in Kharkiv, Leaving 21 Injured

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned a recent attack by Russia on a residential building in Kharkiv, which resulted in injuries to 21 civilians, including an 8-year-old child and two teenagers.

The strike occurred last night, targeting an ordinary residential building. Following the attack, 60 residents were evacuated, and all injured individuals are receiving necessary medical assistance. Zelenskyy highlighted the severity of the situation in a post on X, stating, “Last night, Russia struck Kharkiv again, this time with aerial bombs.”

Increased Russian Aggression

The Ukrainian President reported a significant uptick in Russian attacks throughout the week, revealing that over 900 guided aerial bombs and nearly 30 missiles of various types were used. He noted, “Throughout the week, the enemy has used over 900 guided aerial bombs, around 400 ‘Shahed’ drones, and nearly 30 missiles of various types.”

Call for Enhanced Defense Capabilities

Zelenskyy emphasized the urgent need to strengthen Ukraine’s long-range defense capabilities to protect civilian lives. “We need to strengthen our capabilities to better protect lives and ensure safety,” he said, adding that discussions with international partners regarding this issue would continue next week.

Previous Incidents

This latest strike follows a series of attacks, including an incident on September 16, where a 94-year-old woman was killed and 42 others were injured when a guided bomb struck a multi-story apartment building in Kharkiv. The body of the woman was recovered from the ninth floor of the building, which caught fire after the attack.

Thousands of civilians have lost their lives since Russia’s “full-scale invasion” of Ukraine began in February 2022, although Moscow denies intentionally targeting civilian areas. Earlier this month, another missile strike in Kharkiv injured 47 people when Russian missiles hit a shopping mall and a sports center.