Russia launched a demoralizing barrage of strikes at Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, at the beginning of Saturday, killing a minimum of three individuals in what local authorities labeled as the heaviest barrage since the beginning of the all-out war. The attack, which occurred a day after a huge air bombardment throughout Ukraine, involved missiles, drones, and guided bombs.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported more than 40 explosions and described the strikes as “outright terror against peaceful Kharkiv.” Houses caught fire in residential buildings, among them a multi-storey apartment in the Osnovyanskyi district. A Kyivskyi district house was also damaged, raising the death toll to three.
In the late evening, Russia also fired a second round of missiles at civilian sites such as a children’s playground. Another individual was killed and 40 were hurt, including a 14-year-old girl and an infant afflicted with acute stress.
President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the attacks as “pure terrorism,” highlighting the lack of any logic for a military action. He appealed for greater international action against Russia, asserting that Moscow’s impunity energizes its aggression.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that it had attained its goals, asserting that it attacked Ukrainian military installations with high-precision weapons. Prosecutors acknowledged the employment of more than 50 drones, bombs, and missiles, causing damage to administrative and educational facilities.
Russia at the same time accused Ukraine of indefinitely delaying a scheduled prisoner and bodies exchange. Ukraine in turn accused Russia of not adhering to previously agreed procedures.
During the mayhem, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed a Russian Su-35 fighter aircraft off the coast of Kursk. Russia has not officially reacted, even though its military bloggers have confirmed an aircraft loss.
Friday’s huge drone and missile attack of Ukrainian territories, allegedly in reprisal for Ukraine’s successful missile carrier drone attack on Russian missiles, killed no less than six. U.S. President Trump, following a conversation with Vladimir Putin, threatened more escalation.
