Russian airstrikes devastate Kharkiv: Calls for bolstered defence
Series of Russian attacks on Kharkiv. At least two people were killed and 24 were injured in an airstrike on a home improvement hypermarket, local authorities reported. Shortly afterwards, a second attack occurred. At this moment, there is no information about additional casualties.
The target of the Russian attack was a home improvement hypermarket in Kharkiv. Volodymyr Zelensky reported on social media that about 200 people could have been in the hypermarket during the shelling. He added that such attacks would be impossible if Ukrainian forces had sufficient air defence resources.
"If Ukraine had enough air defense and modern fighter aircraft, such Russian attacks would be simply impossible. And this is why we appeal to all leaders, to all states: we need a significant strengthening of air defense and sufficient capabilities to destroy the Russians," Zelensky wrote.
After the attack, a fire broke out, engulfing the entire building. Services reported that firefighting operations are ongoing at the scene, but they remain very difficult.
"The firefighting operation is hindered by the presence of a significant amount of flammable materials and the possibility of the fire spreading to nearby warehouses. At the same time, there is a continuous threat of additional bombings by the enemy," Ukrainian rescue services said in a statement.
"Two people were killed, 24 people were injured, and there could have been hundreds of people inside," wrote Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv regional authorities, on Telegram.
Bombings in Kharkiv. Another strike in Central Park
Another attack was reported by the city's mayor, Ihor Terekhov. "Another strike in Central Park. It is being determined whether there are casualties and damages", Terekhov wrote on Telegram.
