At least six individuals have lost their lives, with over a dozen sustaining injuries in a recent Russian missile assault on Kharkiv, located in northeastern Ukraine, as confirmed by the regional authority. Additional to the casualties, two people are still unaccounted for following the onslaught, during which Russian military targeted Ukraine’s second-largest city at least 15 times, according to Oleg Sinegubov, the regional head. He urged residents to seek shelter amidst the ongoing conflict.
The assault inflicted damage on various facilities belonging to Ukraine’s state railway company, resulting in injuries to several of its personnel, as reported. This attack is part of a renewed offensive by Russian forces in the region, aiming to exploit weaknesses in the Ukrainian defense. Mr. Sinegubov highlighted ongoing clashes near the towns of Pletenivka and Vovchansk, emphasizing Ukrainian forces’ maintenance of control.
In his remarks, President Volodymyr Zelensky underscored the significance of Kharkiv’s vulnerability, attributing it to Ukraine’s insufficient air defense capabilities. The delay in the delivery of US-made surface-to-air missile systems due to legislative disputes hampered Ukraine’s defense readiness, with the aid package only recently secured in Congress. Zelensky has consistently appealed for enhanced air defense resources and modern fighter aircraft from allied nations to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.