At least seven killed, 16 injured due to Russian missile strike in Ukraine's Kharkiv
Russia ‘taking advantage of Ukraine's lack of sufficient air defense protection,' capability to destroy missile launchers close to border, says Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
At least seven people were killed and 16 injured due to a Russian missile strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.
“Consequences of the Russian massive missile attack on the Osnovianskyi district of Kharkiv: According to updated information, as of now — seven dead,” Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov said on Telegram.
Earlier, Synyehubov said six people were killed and 16 injured due to the attack, during which hits were recorded in Kharkiv's Kholodnohirskyi and Osnovianskyi districts.
He further said a local printing house was hit due to the attack, while strikes were also recorded in the city of Lyubotyn, about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from Kharkiv.
Ukraine's State Emergency Service said in a statement that search and rescue operations in the city are ongoing.
About the strike, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X that Russia launched 15 missiles at once on Kharkiv and Lyubotyn.
He argued that Russia is “taking advantage of Ukraine's lack of sufficient air defense protection” and capability to destroy missile launchers close to the border between the two countries.
“And this weakness is not ours, but the world's, which has not dared to deal with terrorists in the way they deserve for three years,” he noted.
Zelenskyy also said he is grateful to everyone who is helping Ukraine, but that they need “more determination, especially from world leaders.”
Russian authorities have not yet commented on the attack.
Airstrikes in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region have intensified since Russian forces attempted to breach the country's defenses in the region on May 10, opening a new front in the over two-year-long conflict that is concentrated in the country's east and south.
Clashes in the region have intensified since then, particularly near Vovchansk, located about 74 kilometers (45 miles) from Kharkiv.
Russia claims to have seized control of multiple border settlements since the start of its offensive on the Kharkiv front, as well as on other fronts, including Donetsk.
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