Russian Bombing in Kharkiv: Devastation and Renewed Calls for Support

A Russian guided bomb attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine, led to the deaths of five people and injured at least 47. The attack struck a residential building and playground, causing significant damage and casualties. The incident has prompted renewed calls for Western support and long-range weapons to counter Russian strikes.

A Russian guided bomb attack on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv resulted in the deaths of five individuals and left at least 47 others injured, according to local authorities.

Ihor Terekhov, the city's mayor, reported on Telegram that one child was killed in the playground. Three fatalities occurred in the 12-storey apartment block that ignited due to the strike. Oleh Syniehubov, the regional governor, stated that about 20 of the injured were in severe condition.

One end of the apartment block was engulfed in black smoke with flames consuming the upper floors. Several parked cars were also destroyed in the fire. Emergency services and volunteers hurried to rescue survivors. The body of one victim was found under a carpet outside, surrounded by police.

Stunned residents, some bleeding, sat on benches as medics treated their injuries. The authorities did not specify the circumstances of the fifth person's death. The strikes impacted four areas of the city.

Despite a reduction in bombing intensity in recent weeks, Kharkiv has been heavily targeted throughout the war. The latest attack involved five aerial guided bombs launched from Russia's Belgorod region, known for their hard-to-intercept and devastating impact.

Russia denies targeting civilians deliberately. Thousands have died or been wounded since Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Following the Kharkiv strike, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reiterated calls for Western allies to provide long-range weapons to target Russian military bases. Zelenskiy argued that the attack could have been prevented if Ukraine could destroy Russian military aircraft in their bases.

Kyiv maintains that targeting Russian planes is the most effective defense against such strikes. (Reporting and writing by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Louise Heavens, Alison Williams and Mike Collett-White)

(With inputs from agencies.)