A tragic Russian airstrike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, has resulted in the death of a 14-year-old girl and left at least six others dead, with 59 injured. The attack, which targeted a playground and a 12-storey residential building, has sparked outrage and renewed calls for action.
The guided bomb strike hit the playground in the northeastern city, causing flames and thick black smoke to billow from the residential building nearby. Firefighters were seen rescuing people from the burning building, and photos from the scene revealed extensive damage, including collapsed walls and burning cars.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated his appeal for Ukraine’s international allies to provide the capability to strike targets inside Russia to deter such attacks. Over the past week, Moscow’s forces have reportedly launched more than 400 drones and missiles at Ukraine.
The attack on Kharkiv occurred just hours before Zelensky dismissed the head of Ukraine’s air force, Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk. Kharkiv, located approximately 35km from the Russian border, has been a frequent target since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Regional head Oleh Sinehubov reported that 59 people were wounded, including nine children, with 20 in serious condition and some requiring amputations. Sinehubov accused Russia of using guided missiles and targeting civilian areas, calling the strikes “mass terror” against civilians.
Zelensky criticized the limitations imposed on Ukraine’s defense capabilities, emphasizing that if Ukraine had the means to destroy Russian military aircraft at their bases, such attacks could have been prevented. Despite partial allowances from Western allies, such as the UK and US, for strikes on Russian territory, there are restrictions aimed at preventing escalation.
US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, expressed condolences and demanded accountability for what she called war crimes. Meanwhile, Western technology and finance have been instrumental in enabling Ukraine to carry out long-range strikes against strategic Russian targets.
In a retaliatory claim, Russian officials reported that Ukrainian strikes in the Belgorod region had killed five people and wounded 37, attributing the attacks to the use of cluster munitions.