Russian drones strike Kharkiv, injuring nine

Russian forces launched a mass drone attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city injuring nine people and causing extensive damage to residential and public infrastructure. Emergency services reported that the attack triggered four fires in the city center, with images showing firefighters battling flames amid piles of rubble.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed at least 12 drone strikes hit the city, which lies approximately 30 kilometers from the Russian border.

The assault particularly impacted civilian infrastructure, with the largest blaze engulfing an industrial building over an area of 2,500 square meters. Emergency responders, including police, medical teams, and utility workers, mobilized quickly to address the crisis.

In a separate but related incident, Russian drone attacks also sparked fires in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Regional governor Serhiy Lysak reported the event but indicated no immediate casualties had been recorded.

Kharkiv has been a frequent target of Russian military actions since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Despite successfully resisting capture in the early weeks of the war, the city has endured repeated missile and drone strikes as Russian forces shifted their focus to eastern Ukraine.

These latest attacks highlight the ongoing volatility in the region and add to the humanitarian challenges faced by civilians living near the front lines. The targeting of heating infrastructure is particularly concerning as it affects essential services for residents in affected areas, compounding the hardships of civilians caught in the conflict zone.