Russia unleashed a ferocious barrage of drones, missiles, and glide bombs on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, killing four and injuring nearly 60 in a Friday night attack, local officials reported.
Two more deaths were confirmed in Russian strikes on Kherson in southern Ukraine.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the assault involved 48 drones, two missiles, and four glide bombs, targeting 18 apartment buildings and 13 homes. A baby and a 14-year-old girl were among the injured.
Governor Oleh Syniehubov noted that a civilian industrial site was hit by 40 drones, a missile, and four bombs, with fears that people remain trapped under debris. A follow-up attack with glide bombs on Saturday evening claimed another life and injured at least 18.
The Russian onslaught followed Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian air bases and railway attacks last weekend, which Moscow labeled “terrorist acts by the Kyiv regime.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the Kharkiv strikes as “pure terrorism” with “no military purpose,” accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of prolonging the war to buy time.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called for stronger international pressure on Moscow to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
Tensions also flared over a stalled prisoner swap agreed upon in Istanbul. Russia’s negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, claimed Ukraine delayed the exchange of sick, wounded, and underage prisoners, as well as the repatriation of 12,000 soldiers’ bodies.
Ukraine’s Co-ordination for PoWs office refuted this, accusing Russia of submitting unauthorized lists and taking uncoordinated steps.
Thursday’s nationwide Russian assault, involving over 400 drones and nearly 40 missiles, killed six and injured 80 across Ukraine. Ukraine’s “Operation Spider’s Web” last Sunday targeted 40 Russian aircraft using smuggled drones launched from lorries near air bases. U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that Ukraine’s actions gave Putin a “reason to retaliate,” citing a phone call where Putin vowed a strong response.
Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, it has controlled roughly 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea. Peace talks remain deadlocked, with Ukraine demanding an unconditional ceasefire and Russia rejecting it.
Source: BBC
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