By Victor Vosoro
Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, was rocked by a devastating overnight drone and missile strike on Friday, marking one of the biggest Russian assaults on the city since the war began. The attack left at least three people dead and 21 injured, including a young boy and a 14-year-old girl, according to Ukrainian officials.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov described the assault as “open terror,” saying Russian forces launched 48 drones, two missiles, and four glide bombs in a coordinated aerial attack that left a trail of destruction across residential and industrial areas.
“This was a deliberate act of terror against civilians,” Terekhov said. “We are still assessing the full extent of the damage.”
According to Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov, one civilian industrial facility was hit by a staggering 40 drones, alongside one missile and multiple bombs. Authorities fear more victims may be trapped under the rubble, and rescue operations are ongoing.
The attack damaged 18 apartment buildings and three other homes, local officials said. It follows a massive wave of drone and missile strikes that hit targets across Ukraine on Thursday night, escalating the already intense conflict.
In southern Ukraine, Russian shelling killed two people in Kherson, further highlighting the widespread nature of the recent offensive.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed the strikes were retaliation for what it called “terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime,” referring to Ukraine’s surprise raids on Russian air bases last Sunday.
Ukrainian officials, however, condemned the attacks as indiscriminate targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called on Ukraine’s Western allies to increase military and diplomatic pressure on Moscow.
“We need more steps to strengthen Ukraine,” Sybiha said. “The world must act decisively to stop this terror.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of prolonging the war through brutality and stalling tactics.
“Putin is buying himself time to keep waging the war,” Zelensky said. “The pressure must be applied. Only then will these attacks stop.”
The latest escalation comes amid growing international concern over Russia’s increasing reliance on drone warfare, much of it powered by Iranian-made Shahed drones, which have become a staple in Moscow’s recent strategy.
As Ukraine continues to recover from Friday’s strike, officials warn that more attacks may be imminent, and are urging residents in high-risk areas to remain vigilant and seek shelter during air raid alerts.
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