Russian Drone Attacks Claim Six Lives in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Report Officials

At least six individuals have lost their lives in a drone strike carried out by Russia in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, as reported by local officials.

 

Mayor Ihor Terekhov mentioned that Shahed drones, manufactured in Iran, targeted various structures, including residential buildings, in the early hours of Saturday.

 

The attacks on Kharkiv, which is the nearest major city to the Russian border, have been escalating in recent times.

 

Officials from Ukraine have expressed concerns that the city could potentially be the focus of an upcoming Russian military offensive.

In a message on the Telegram app, Mr. Terekhov stated, "This assault on the peaceful inhabitants of Kharkiv once again highlights that Russia is a terrorist nation."

 

According to the local prosecutor's office, at least 11 individuals sustained injuries in the attack in the Shevchenkivskyi residential district.

Reports indicated that the assault caused damage to high-rise buildings, administrative structures, dormitories, a kindergarten, shops, cafes, and vehicles.

 

Unverified images released by Ukrainian police depicted rescue teams at the scene, with damaged and burning structures visible.

Local law enforcement mentioned that Moscow launched two missiles, followed by continuous shelling, and subsequently deployed drones during the rescue efforts.

 

Volodymyr Tymoshko, a member of the local police force, shared on social media, "When all the necessary services were engaged at the location of the missile strike, enemy drones made an appearance."

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by President Vladimir Putin in February 2022, the country's second-largest city has endured significant destruction due to months of Russian bombardment.

 

Polish officials reported that fighter jets were scrambled in response to the recent missile attacks on Ukraine.

Authorities in Kyiv confirmed that air defenses were activated to thwart an assault on the capital.

 

The Ukrainian military disclosed that its air defenses successfully intercepted 28 out of 32 drones and three out of six missiles launched by Russia.

Earlier in the week, Russian forces conducted drone strikes in Kharkiv, resulting in at least four fatalities, as per Ukrainian authorities.

 

Furthermore, on Friday, reports indicated that four individuals lost their lives and over 20 were injured in Russian missile attacks on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia.