Devastating civilian carnage: Witness the shocking aftermath of the ruthless Russian missile strike in a peaceful Ukrainian village

According to a high-ranking Ukrainian police official, the village struck by a Russian missile attack on Thursday did not contain any military targets. This attack, which has been deemed one of the most destructive assaults on civilians since the conflict began, has been strongly condemned by the country's president as both "inhuman" and "deliberate." The attack, carried out by Moscow's forces, specifically targeted a café and a shop in Hroza, a village situated near the eastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. Ukrainian officials have reported that this devastating strike was executed using a powerful Iskander ballistic missile, resulting in the tragic loss of lives, including a 6-year-old boy.

Emergency workers were seen wading through dense debris in the aftermath of the strike, revealing a level of devastation that rivaled the Russian attack on a railway station in Kramatorsk in early 2022, which claimed the lives of over 60 individuals. The death toll in this tight-knit community of 330 people equated to one in every six residents tragically losing their lives.

"All individuals present are local inhabitants, all are non-military. There are no military structures or vehicles in sight. Every casualty, both deceased and injured, is a civilian," stated Sergey Bolvinov, the lead investigator from Kharkivs regional police, during an interview with CNN in Hroza.

Throughout the night, investigators and forensic teams diligently combed through the debris, striving to ascertain the number and identities of the deceased. Numerous bodies suffered severe damage from the immense impact of the explosion, as reported by a CNN crew present at the location.

A nearby resident, whose spouse tragically perished in the incident, appeared hunched over their lifeless figure, profoundly disturbed and rendered speechless, unwilling to depart from their side. Eventually, the individual assisted the emergency personnel in carefully hoisting their loved one onto a waiting truck for transportation.

Members of Ukraine's emergency services at the scene of a Russian missile strike in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv region, eastern Ukraine on October 5.

Vasco Cotovio/CNN

Bolvinov revealed that 35 victims have been positively identified thus far.

"We firmly believe that this development will serve as a crucial foundation for gathering substantial evidence and holding the responsible Russian military accountable," he expressed. Additionally, he emphasized that the assault is currently under investigation as a "blatant breach of international laws and customs governing warfare."

Nine civilians, including an 11-month-old infant, were injured in Kharkiv on Friday due to recent Russian airstrikes, revealed Oleh Syniehubov, the director of the military administration for Kharkiv regions. In a Telegram post, Syniehubov reported that rescue personnel were present at the site, which witnessed multiple cars igniting and buildings suffering damages.

Kharkivs Mayor Ihor Terekhov said in a statement on Telegram that the city was "under attack."

Ukraine's emergency services work through the night digging through the rubble in the aftermath of a Russian missile attack.

Vasco Cotovio/CNN

Dozens of residents gathered at a cafe in Hroza on Thursday to mourn the death of a local Ukrainian soldier. Tragically, a missile struck the building, completely destroying it, according to Ukrainian officials. The soldier had already been buried in Dnipro, but his family desired for him to be reburied in his hometown, explained Dmytro Chubenko, spokesperson for the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutors Office, in an interview with Ukrainian media outlet RBC. Heartbreakingly, the blast claimed the lives of several members of the soldier's family, including his son, Chubenko added.

According to Ukrainian officials, Hroza was targeted by an Iskander missile, which is a ballistic missile with a shorter range. Depending on its configuration, this missile can carry a warhead weighing between 500 and 700 kilograms. Bolvinov stated that the Iskander is undoubtedly a massive missile as it completely demolished the building. During the incident, people were present in the same room, leading to a state of chaos.

Following the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgent need for increased air defenses from allies. He highlighted that without additional support, particularly in anticipation of winter bombardments, it becomes "impossible to protect people."

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"This evil cannot be stopped by words or documents. However, we have air defense systems, artillery, missiles, and armored vehicles. Our brave servicemen are skilled in repelling Russian assaults," stated Zelensky.

"It is imperative that Russian terror does not succeed. Fortunately, the world possesses the necessary means to prevent it," he emphasized. "Unity is key. It is vital to have faith in freedom and safeguard lives."

During meetings in Granada, Spain, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's priority for air defense and expressed optimism about the progress made in securing necessary support.

He announced that Spain will be providing Ukraine with six Hawk systems, while Germany is committed to facilitating the provision of another Patriot system to Kyiv. He stressed that this particular system is uniquely equipped to withstand and confront the imminent threats and the potential consequences they entail.

Rescuers work at the site of a Russian military strike in Hroza village on October 5.

Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy/Reuters

The White House, meanwhile, pointed to the attack as another example of why Congress needs to approve more US aid for Ukraine.

"Imagine walking to the grocery store with your children, brainstorming dinner ideas, when suddenly an explosion detonates. The scene is filled with scattered bodies, and the horror is unimaginable," expressed Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, as she urged Congress to take prompt action in providing supplementary funding.

Police and military experts work at the site of a Russian military strike in Hroza.

Sofiia Gatilova/Reuters

Her remarks coincide with political turmoil in Congress, the legislative arm of the government, and depleted ammunition supplies across NATO nations, posing a risk to the provision of military assistance to Kyiv.

Situated approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from the war's front lines near Kupiansk, Hroza lies in Kharkiv, a city that was initially occupied by Russian forces at the onset of the conflict but was subsequently liberated by Ukrainian forces a year ago.

The Ukrainian military has been making efforts to resist Moscow's advances. Kyiv considers the city strategically important in order to block Russia's access to the nearby Oskil River, which is easier to cross than in the southern region. Reporting by Maria Kostenko, Tim Lister, Sana Noor Haq, and Nikki Carvajal from CNN.