At least six people have been killed in a Russian drone attack in Kharkiv as Vladimir Putin’s forces step up their offensive in eastern Ukraine.
Governor of the Kharkiv region Oleh Syniehubov said on Saturday that missile strikes on the city damaged residential buildings, a gas station, a kindergarten, a cafe, a shop and cars.
Russia fired 32 Iranian-made Shahed drones and six missiles at Ukraine overnight, according to the air force commander.
Ukrainian air defence forces shot down three cruise missiles and 28 drones.
Харків пережив тяжку ніч.
— Ihor Terekhov (@mayorterekhov) April 4, 2024
Місто було атаковане "шахедами", які вразили житлові будинки. Один потрапив в 14-поверхову багатоповерхівку, що призвело до руйнувань квартир на декількох поверхах, а також до пошкодження зовнішньої стіни. Внаслідок ударів є поранені та загиблі.
Під… pic.twitter.com/WFacJ2ruI7
The city’s mayor Ihor Terekhov tweeted: “Kharkiv has experienced a tough night.
“The city was attacked by "shaheds" which struck residential buildings.
“One hit a 14-storey apartment building leading to the destruction of apartments on several floors, as well as to the damage of the external wall. As a result of the strikes, there are those injured and deceased.
“During a repeated attack on a residential building in another place, three rescuers died.
“Also, among the injured there was an emergency medical nurse who arrived at the scene with the team to provide help.”
Kharkiv is the closest big city to the Russian border and has been under almost constant siege since the war broke out in February 2022.
Russia has gained ground but Ukrainian sources claimed Putin’s army was suffering heavy losses, including the destruction of numerous military vehicles.The Institute for The Study of War said Russian forces conducted a roughly reinforced company-sized mechanised assault towards the town of Chasiv Yar, west of Bakhmut in the Donetsk province on April 4 and advanced up to its eastern outskirts.
