Two dead in Russian 'double tap' attack near Ukraine's Kharkiv

Rescue teams targeted in mid-afternoon missile strike injuring 25 people

KHARKIV:

Russian forces launched a devastating "double tap" missile attack on Saturday, targeting the small town of Budy near Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. The attack resulted in the deaths of two individuals, an emergency services official and a police officer, officials reported.

The mid-afternoon strike initially targeted Budy's railway station. Shortly after rescue teams arrived at the scene, a second missile struck, inflicting further casualties and damage. Prosecutors stated that the incident left 25 people injured, including two children.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed the deaths, identifying the victims as the head of Kharkiv district emergency services and a police officer from a rapid reaction unit. Among the injured were three emergency workers, a policeman, and approximately 20 civilians.

The "double tap" tactic, previously employed by Russian forces, involves a follow-up strike targeting first responders, leading to increased casualties and chaos. Russia has denied deliberately targeting civilians, and Reuters has been unable to independently verify the accounts.

Kharkiv, which remained outside Russian control following the initial February 2022 invasion, has endured continuous attacks. However, Ukrainian officials note a reduction in frequency since the resumption of US weapon supplies to Ukraine.

In other regions, four additional fatalities were reported in Donetsk and two in southern Kherson. Donetsk Regional Governor Vadym Filashkin reported a multi-storey apartment building in Chasiv Yar was struck by multiple rocket launchers, killing one person. In Kurakhove, a guided bomb killed another individual amidst ongoing heavy fighting. Two more deaths occurred in a village near Komar due to bombings that also damaged ten buildings and a shop.

Regional Governor Oleksander Prokudin in Kherson confirmed the deaths of a couple due to Russian shelling in a village outside the main administrative center of Kherson.

These attacks underscore the persistent and widespread violence affecting various regions of Ukraine as the conflict continues to take a heavy toll on civilians and infrastructure.