Russian Strike on Kharkiv Kills Seven, Injures 97
Russian forces attacked the city of Kharkiv with UMPB D-30 munitions, killing at least seven people, including a child, and injuring 97 others, local authorities reported.
The Russian strike hit a 12-story residential building in the city's Industrial Nyi district, causing a fire. At least three people were killed, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.
Kharkiv's Nemyshlianskyi district also came under attack, killing a 14-year-old girl, according to Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov. There are 22 children among the injured, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said.
Russian forces also hit downtown Kharkiv and the city's Slobodsky district, damaging a warehouse building and three houses, the governor said.
Syniehubov said that 20 of those injured are in serious or "extremely serious" condition.
"There may be people on the upper floors of the hit building, including at least one woman. There is a risk that the building will be destroyed," he added.
The body of a woman was removed from the rubble in the evening, bringing the death toll of the attack to seven.
President Volodymyr Zelensky urged partners to allow Ukraine to strike military air bases on Russian soil with Western-supplied weapons.
"We need strong decisions from our partners to stop this terror. This is an absolutely fair need. And there is no rational reason to limit Ukraine's defense," he said following the attack.
"I have decided to replace the commander of the Air Forces. I am eternally grateful to all our military pilots," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.
He did not give a reason for dismissal but mentioned that personnel must be protected, and that there was a need to strengthen the command level.
Attacks against population centers in Kharkiv Oblast intensified after Russian forces launched a new cross-border offensive in the northern part of the region in May. While the push has been halted by Ukrainian troops, Russia continues to hold a handful of settlements just across the border.
