Deadliest Russian Strike in Weeks: 18 Killed in Kharkiv Megastore Attack
A Russian strike in Kharkiv claimed the lives of 18 individuals, including a 12-year-old girl, in a tragic incident at a large store. This attack marks the deadliest assault Ukraine has faced in several weeks, as confirmed by regional officials.
Eighteen people, including a 12-year-old girl, lost their lives in a Russian strike at a large store in Kharkiv on Saturday, according to regional officials. This attack is considered the deadliest that Ukraine has faced in several weeks.
The police confirmed on Sunday that one of the victims was a 12-year-old girl who tragically lost her life in the devastating attack.
Five people are still missing, according to Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Kharkiv region military administration. He stated that 48 individuals were injured during the strike on the megastore building, which had nearly 200 people inside.
Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city located near its border with Russia, has experienced a series of Russian attacks in the past few weeks.
Emergency workers carry out the body of a victim of a Russian strike that hit a large store in Kharkiv.
Emergency workers carry out the body of a victim of a Russian strike that hit a large store in Kharkiv.
Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images
Security camera footage of the moment of the strike shows the building shake on impact, with the whole site immediately engulfed in thick smoke and flames.
Ukraine’s interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, described the hours after the strike as "hellish" and expressed gratitude to all who helped extinguish the fires. Inside the store, photos taken after the attack reveal a scene of total destruction, with charred inventory and walls that have caved in.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as a "brutal attack," stating that "Russia is governed by individuals who seek to normalize burning lives, destroying cities and villages, dividing communities, and erasing national boundaries through warfare."
Zelensky, who was visiting Spain for official business, asked other countries to help Ukraine with better air defenses.
During their meeting in Madrid, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez revealed a new $1.08 billion weapons agreement for Ukraine. The deal is intended to strengthen air defense systems and safeguard Ukrainian citizens and infrastructure from Russian attacks.
Sanchez confirmed that the American-built air-defense system, Patriot missiles, are being sent. Zelensky requested the platforms to launch these missiles and inquired about the quantity available. Additionally, a new shipment of Leopard tanks and essential ammunition for the Ukrainian troops is also being sent.
Zelensky had plans to visit Spain recently but had to postpone the trip because of the ongoing Russian offensive in areas like Kharkiv. The attacks in Kharkiv are relentless, causing significant damage on a daily basis.
The United States has declared its support for Ukraine by sending $275 million in military aid. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that this assistance is aimed at helping Ukraine defend against Russia's attacks near Kharkiv.
Blinken emphasized that the aid package includes crucial resources that Ukrainian troops urgently require to push back Russia's incursions towards the important northeastern city.
Editor's P/S:
The devastating
