Russian strike on Kharkiv apartment block injures 12

Kharkiv, located just 30 kilometres from the Russian border, has been a frequent target of Russian attacks

On Saturday evening, a Russian-guided bomb hit a multi-storey apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, injuring at least 12 people, including a child, and leading to the evacuation of residents, local officials reported.

Kharkiv, located just 30 kilometers from the Russian border, has been a frequent target of Russian attacks since the war began in February 2022.

Kharkiv’s Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed the strike on Telegram, stating that the guided bomb caused significant damage to the building, shattering windows and igniting nearby cars.

About 60 residents were evacuated from the site as rescue operations began.

Public broadcaster Suspilne reported that the bomb landed in a tree outside one of the building’s entrances, triggering the explosion of several cars.

Oleh Syniehubov, the regional governor, confirmed that two separate strikes hit Kharkiv on Saturday. Additionally, Russian forces launched an attack near the city of Izium, southeast of Kharkiv, which set two private homes on fire.

This attack follows three Russian airstrikes on Kharkiv on Friday, which left 15 people injured.

Further south, a Russian drone attack killed two people in Nikopol, while in the Donetsk region, one person was killed in the town of Kurakhove during a Russian artillery strike.

In Sumy region, local authorities reported that Russian aircraft targeted energy infrastructure in the town of Shostka.

Sumy, lying opposite Russia’s southern Kursk region, has been a frequent target of Russian attacks, especially following Ukraine’s recent incursion into the area.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his nightly address, emphasized the importance of Western support in ending the war.

Zelenskyy, who is set to meet US President Joe Biden and other officials during his upcoming visit to the US, stressed that Ukraine's success in defending itself relies on the continued resolve of its allies to provide weapons and other critical aid.

As the conflict escalates, Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, have expressed concern over potential Russian attacks on nuclear facilities before the winter.

Sybiha has urged the United Nations and Ukraine’s allies to establish permanent monitoring at the country’s nuclear plants to prevent a potential disaster.

In Russia, Ukrainian forces launched a massive drone attack on Saturday, targeting multiple locations.

Over 100 drones were deployed, with one striking a missile depot in the Tver region, causing a fire.

Another attack in the Krasnodar region triggered a series of explosions.

With ongoing strikes on both sides and preparations for significant diplomatic engagements, the conflict shows no signs of de-escalating, and the toll on civilians continues to rise.