A 14-year-old girl named Sofia was among the nine civilians killed in a series of Russian airstrikes on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Friday. The attacks, which included a guided bomb strike that hit a playground, left at least 97 people injured, including 24 children. The strikes represent one of the most severe bombardments of Kharkiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
The strikes targeted multiple districts within Kharkiv, hitting residential buildings, a shopping center, a sports facility, and a city park. Firefighters worked to rescue residents from a 12-story residential building that was heavily damaged, with flames and thick smoke billowing from the upper floors. The Russian attack was reportedly carried out using Su-34 fighter jets, which deployed 500-kilogram guided aerial bombs from across the border in Russia’s Belgorod region.
Kharkiv today.
How many more people have to die so that “anonymous officials” finally stop playing 5D geopolitical Kissinger chess and trying to appease Putin by ensuring a safety zone for Russian air bases and bombers?
Everybody understands that preventing Ukraine from… pic.twitter.com/CqAvEjZnok
— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) September 1, 2024
In the aftermath of the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes, labeling them as acts of terror against civilians. He reiterated his call for Western allies to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons to target Russian military assets, arguing that such measures are necessary to prevent further attacks on Ukrainian cities.
A day of mourning was declared in Kharkiv as the city grappled with the loss and devastation caused by the strikes. Ukrainian authorities continue to search through the rubble, fearing that more victims may be found.
Ballistic missiles with 500kg warheads fired into completely civilian areas NOT at night, but at lunch time, to sow maximum terror and kill count.
This is Russian culture in its purist form.
pic.twitter.com/EJX48fI2Fo— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) September 1, 2024
On Saturday, Russian forces continued their assault, striking the nearby village of Cherkaska Lozova in Kharkiv Oblast. This attack killed two more people and injured at least 10, including two children. Ukrainian officials have reported that Russia often uses “double-tap” tactics, striking the same location again after emergency responders arrive, further endangering rescue workers.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has been a frequent target of Russian attacks due to its proximity to the Russian border. Despite the ongoing violence, Ukrainian forces have managed to halt Russian advances in the region, though the threat to civilian areas remains high.
Expanded Coverage:
