A Russian-guided bomb struck a multistorey apartment building in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, killing at least one woman and injuring 42 others. Ukrainian prosecutors confirmed on Sunday that the body of a 94-year-old woman was recovered from the ninth floor of the building, which caught fire following the attack. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that the bomb hit the building’s 10th floor, causing extensive damage. Among the 42 injured were three children, and the fire spread across four floors, with 12 other buildings in the vicinity also sustaining damage.
The deadly strike has heightened tensions in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, prompting renewed calls for stronger military support from Ukraine’s Western allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the attack by reiterating his appeal for Western nations to provide Ukraine with the capability to strike deep within Russian territory, arguing that such actions would prevent future tragedies.
“Every Russian strike of this nature, every instance of Russian terror, like today in Kharkiv… this proves that there must be long-range capability and it must be sufficient,” Zelenskyy stated. He emphasized that Ukraine needs more advanced weaponry to counter Russia’s relentless bombardment and safeguard civilian lives.
In addition to the Kharkiv attack, Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces had also struck Ukraine’s Sumy and Donetsk regions using guided bombs on Sunday. According to Zelenskyy, the Russian army is carrying out “at least 100 such air attacks” daily, underscoring the urgency for more comprehensive military assistance to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen civilian areas frequently targeted, and international concerns are mounting over the rising casualties and destruction in the war-torn regions.