Russia has launched a massive wave of drone strikes on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, injuring at least 28 people and sparking multiple fires across residential districts, according to regional governor Oleh Synyehubov. Friday evening’s assault targeted four key districts of the city—Sloboda, Kyiv, Osnovyansky and Saltivsky—leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
In the Sloboda district, several private vehicles were destroyed after fires broke out as a result of the drone attack. In the Kyiv district, a drone crash-landed, and authorities are still working to assess the full scale of the damage. The Osnovyansky district was among the hardest hit. A house and a shop were both damaged by the blast wave and debris, with a resulting fire engulfing part of a nearby nine-storey apartment block, setting its roof ablaze. In Saltivsky, another drone struck the ground, damaging a residential building and several cars parked nearby.
Specialist emergency teams are on the ground working to contain the damage and support survivors. Medics are continuing to provide treatment to those wounded, with the number of injured expected to rise as more information becomes available.
Mr Synyehubov said: “The consequences of the massive attack on Kharkiv by enemy UAVs are being dealt with. Emergency services are doing everything necessary.”
Kharkiv, located just 30km from the Russian border, has faced relentless aerial bombardment in recent weeks, as Moscow continues its campaign of terror using low-cost but deadly drones.
The latest assault underlines the ongoing vulnerability of Ukraine’s urban centres, even as international attention remains focused on the frontlines in the south and east.