Russia hits Kharkiv in massive drone strike
Kharkiv faced a significant Russian drone and missile assault, marking one of the most extensive attacks on Ukraine's northeastern region in recent months. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 90 drones and two ballistic missiles targeting Kharkiv, Odessa, and Donetsk. In Kharkiv, a drone strike hit a trolleybus depot, injuring at least two individuals and damaging one trolleybus along with 18 others. Over 30 nearby apartment buildings were also affected by the blast, as confirmed by Mayor Ihor Terekhov, who noted that eight Iranian-made Shahed drones were involved in the attack.
The assault extended to the village of Vasyliv Khutir, where eight people, including two teenagers, were injured. This incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine's northeastern areas, particularly as Kharkiv, located about 30 kilometers from the Russian border, has been a frequent target since the full-scale invasion began over three years ago. The city's public transportation systems, including trolleybus and tram networks, have suffered repeated damage, with the Saltivka tram depot destroyed in March 2022.
Despite the Ukrainian Air Force intercepting 58 of the drones, the damage inflicted underscores the challenges of defending urban areas. As Kharkiv residents cope with disrupted transit and power services, international organizations are calling for greater protection of civilian areas. There has been no official comment from Russian authorities regarding the latest attacks, and both Russia and Ukraine continue to deny targeting civilians. With no ceasefire in sight, Ukraine braces for further aerial assaults, as its cities remain frontlines in an increasingly destructive conflict.
