Russian airstrikes employing guided bombs destroyed an apartment complex in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, on Saturday, killing three people and injuring 52 others, including three children. The onslaught wreaked havoc on the five-story structure, shattering windows, destroying balconies, and scattering rubble over the region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy denounced the incident as "Russian terror" and urged immediate international support to combat the threat posed by such weapons.
President Zelenskiy stressed the critical necessity for strong international assistance to stop Russian military operations, notably the deployment of guided bombs. He emphasized that Russian soldiers had dropped almost 2,400 guided bombs in June alone, with a major part aimed toward Kharkiv. Zelenskiy commended prior international assistance with minimizing missile strikes and called for similar quick action to mitigate the destructive impact of guided bombs.
In response to the ongoing attacks, Zelenskiy highlighted the efficacy of recently received military aid in reducing casualties and damage in Kharkiv. He urged the immediate delivery of promised military aid packages to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities, echoing his plea for continued support from allies like the United States, with whom Ukraine recently signed a bilateral security agreement.
The crisis, which started in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, has escalated, with Russian soldiers progressively pushing across the Donetsk area. Despite Zelenskiy's assertions of stabilization in Kharkiv after a recent incursion, Russian strikes on civilian places such as Kharkiv continue, resulting in severe fatalities and devastation.
Local authorities in Kharkiv reported multiple strikes during the recent bombing incident, with rescue efforts underway at the damaged apartment building. The city, located near the Russian border, has faced repeated assaults throughout the conflict, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis and international calls for Russia to cease targeting civilian areas.
