A Russian drone attack on Kharkiv injured nearly 50, sparking fires and damaging homes as Ukraine calls for stronger air defense support.
Night of Terror: Russian Drones Hit Kharkiv Homes
Late Friday, Kharkiv-Ukraine’s second-largest city-was rocked by a mass Russian drone assault that left at least 46 people injured, including children. The attack struck a high-rise apartment block and multiple locations across four central districts, igniting fires and causing widespread destruction to homes, civilian infrastructure, and vehicles.
Civilians Caught in the Crossfire
Officials reported that the drones, many of them Iranian-made Shahed models, targeted residential neighborhoods while families were at home for the night. Among the wounded was an 11-year-old child, with eight people hospitalized in moderate condition. Emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish fires and rescue survivors, even as fears of further strikes lingered.
Zelenskyy: “No Military Targets-Just Homes”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, emphasizing that there were no military targets in the areas hit-only homes and families. He called on Ukraine’s allies in the United States and Europe to urgently strengthen the country’s air defenses, warning that delays in support are costing lives every night.
“Russia attacks when people are in their homes, putting their children to bed,” Zelenskyy said, urging for “strong and real decisions” from Ukraine’s partners.
Wider Escalation: Attacks Beyond Kharkiv
The Kharkiv assault was part of a broader wave of violence. Hours earlier, Russian strikes hit Zaporizhzhia, injuring 29 people. In the Kherson region, a civilian died when a drone exploded as he tried to move it from his home. Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have intercepted a large number of Ukrainian drones over its own territory, reporting damage but no casualties.
Ceasefire Claims Met With Skepticism
Russia has announced a three-day ceasefire to coincide with its World War II commemorations, but Ukrainian officials dismissed it as a symbolic gesture with little real impact on the ground27. As the war grinds on, Kharkiv remains a frequent target due to its proximity to the Russian border and strategic significance.
As Kharkiv’s residents reel from another night of drone attacks, Ukraine’s calls for stronger international support grow louder. Will the world respond before the next strike?
