Russia launched an assault on eastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv overnight using drones, missiles, and guided bombs, killing at least three people and injuring 22 others — including a one-and-a-half-month-old baby — according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov on Saturday.
One of Ukraine’s largest cities, Kharkiv, is located just a few dozen kilometres from the Russian border and has been under constant Russian shelling for more than three years of war.
“Kharkiv is currently experiencing the most powerful attack since the start of the full-scale war,” Terekhov said on the Telegram messenger early on Saturday.
Massive Explosions Reported
Dozens of explosions were heard in the city through the night, and Russian troops were striking simultaneously with missiles, drones and guided aerial bombs, he said.
Multi-storey and private residential buildings, educational and infrastructure facilities were attacked, Terekhov noted.
Photos by local authorities and Reuters showed burnt and partially destroyed houses and vehicles, and rescuers carrying those injured to safety and removing debris.
Kharkiv governor Oleh Syniehubov said that one of the city’s civilian industrial facilities was attacked by 40 drones, one missile and four bombs, causing a fire, adding there may still be people under the rubble.
The Ukrainian military said Russia launched 206 drones, 2 ballistic and 7 other missiles against Ukraine overnight.
It said its air defence units shot down 87 drones while another 80 drones were lost – in reference to the Ukrainian military using electronic warfare to redirect them – or they were drone simulators that did not carry warheads.
Ten locations were hit, the military said.
Six Killed In Kyiv
At least six people were killed after Russia launched a heavy missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, in the early hours of Friday, according to Ukrainian officials.
The attacks followed a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, conveyed via US President Donald Trump, that the Kremlin would hit back after Ukrainian drones destroyed several strategic bomber aircraft in attacks deep inside Russia.
(With inputs from Reuters)
