In a chilling escalation of its ongoing assault, Russia launched a deadly nighttime drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, leaving devastation in its wake. According to Ukrainian officials, the strike lasted just nine minutes but claimed the lives of three people and injured at least 64 others, including nine children.
The attack struck around midnight and is part of a recent wave of intensified Russian air assaults across Ukraine. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city located near the Russian border, has become a frequent target for drone, missile, and aerial bomb strikes since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed that the barrage involved 17 drones and caused fires across 15 apartment units in a five-storey residential building. “There are direct hits on multi-storey buildings, private homes, playgrounds, businesses, and even public transport,” he shared via Telegram.
President Volodymyr Zelensky responded with outrage, declaring the attack another reminder that Russia is not under enough international pressure. “Every new day now brings despicable new strikes from Russia. Each one shows that the global pressure is still not enough,” he said.
Tragically, among the injured were a 2-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy. Nine victims are currently hospitalized due to the severity of their wounds. A Reuters reporter on the ground described the harrowing scene: emergency crews pulling survivors from rubble, firefighters battling flames in darkness, and residents in shock.
The drone strike follows two of the largest aerial attacks seen so far in the conflict, with Ukraine’s military reporting that Russia launched a total of 85 drones overnight—40 of which were intercepted.
Elsewhere in southern Ukraine, the regions of Mykolaiv and Kherson were plunged into darkness after Russian strikes targeted critical energy infrastructure. Oleksandr Prokudin, governor of the Kherson region, reported the destruction of a vital power facility, warning residents to prepare for extended outages.
“It’s difficult to estimate how long repairs will take,” Prokudin said, urging residents to remain calm and conserve resources. In Mykolaiv, Governor Vitaliy Kim reported similar emergency shutdowns but assured that restoration efforts were underway.
The southern Kherson region is directly adjacent to active battlefronts and faces daily barrages from Russian forces. Mykolaiv, while slightly further from the front lines, continues to endure frequent missile and drone attacks.
Despite claims by both Moscow and Kyiv that civilians are not targeted, the human cost of the war—especially for ordinary Ukrainians—continues to grow. Since the conflict began in February 2022, thousands of civilians have been killed, with Ukraine bearing the overwhelming brunt of the toll.
There has been no immediate comment from the Russian government regarding this latest attack.
As Ukraine braces for what could be further escalation, the world watches with growing concern. Civilians in cities like Kharkiv, Kherson, and Mykolaiv continue to pay the highest price in a war that shows no signs of abating.
