A Russian missiles attack on a residential area in Ukraine’s Kharkiv on Friday injured at least 25 people, destroying part of a five-storey apartment building and damaging surrounding infrastructure, amid ongoing exchanges of accusations between Kyiv and Moscow over recent strikes.
Ukrainian officials reported that two ballistic missiles hit central Kharkiv around 2:30 p.m. local time, targeting a multi-storey residential building in the Kyivskyi district and wounding between 19 and 30 people, including a baby and a woman in serious condition, as rescue teams sifted through rubble for possible additional victims.
Attack Devastates Residential District
Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov stated on Ukrainian television that the strikes nearly destroyed a five-storey dwelling, with preliminary information indicating two ballistic missiles were used, according to the Straitstimes. Rescue teams were clearing rubble and searching for people trapped underneath, while photographs and videos showed smoke rising from vast destruction and emergency crews navigating debris, as reported by the Straitstimes. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov told journalists that the attack damaged dozens of buildings, the transport network, a hospital, and a shopping centre in the Kyivskyi district, according to Gwara Media.
As reported by Oleh Syniehubov for Ukrainian television, 25 people were injured with 16 in hospital. Mayor Terekhov put the casualty toll at 30 injured, as detailed by Gwara Media.
Official Reactions and Accusations
President Volodymyr Zelensky described the strike as “heinous” on social media, stating that preliminary reports indicated two missiles struck an ordinary residential area, according to Kurdistan24. “Unfortunately, this is how the Russians treat life and people — they continue killing, despite all efforts by the world, and especially by the United States, in the diplomatic process,” Zelensky added, as reported by Kurdistan24. The attack followed a deadly drone strike in the Russian-held village of Khorly in occupied Kherson, where Moscow-installed governor Vladimir Saldo claimed three unmanned aerial vehicles killed at least 20 people and injured more than 50, targeting a café and hotel, according to Kurdistan24. Ukrainian authorities countered that the Khorly strike hit a military gathering closed to civilians, as stated by Kurdistan24.
Local Witnesses Describe Chaos
Yulia, who was in her car on Sumska Street during the attack, told Gwara Media that “everything darkened, and I didn’t know where to run.” Oleksandr, whose apartment was destroyed in a Russian attack exactly one year prior, helped clear debris and rescue the injured, saying “I carried people out in my arms. They were covered in blood. I gave them first aid and gave my jacket to someone,” according to Gwara Media. Amil Omarov, head prosecutor in Kharkiv oblast, informed Gwara Media that specialists were still clearing debris, warning that the number of victims may increase, with one victim in serious condition while others’ lives were not in danger. A Gwara Media journalist noted that firefighters were extinguishing fires at the impact site as of 4:15 p.m.
Escalation Amid Broader Conflict
The Kharkiv strike occurred as Russia’s defence ministry rejected Ukraine’s claims, stating its forces “did not plan or carry out strikes using missiles or air strikes within” the area, according to Kurdistan24. President Zelensky reported that Russia had intensified drone attacks, launching more than 200 drones overnight largely targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, accusing Moscow of deliberately prolonging the war into the New Year, as per Kurdistan24. Kharkiv, located 30 km from the Russian border, has withstood advances since the early weeks of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and remains a constant target of aerial attacks as Russian forces focus on eastern regions, according to the Straitstimes. Head prosecutor Amil Omarov confirmed to Gwara Media that the Russian army launched two Iskander missiles at Kharkiv.
Rescue operations continued in Kharkiv following the Russian missile strikes that injured at least 25 people and caused extensive damage to residential and public infrastructure, as emergency services worked amid mutual accusations between Ukrainian and Russian officials over the incident and related attacks in occupied areas.
