Russian attacks on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Saturday resulted in the deaths of at least four people and left more than two dozen others injured. This latest wave of violence has further diminished hopes for peace in the region.
In the early hours of the morning, a significant drone and missile strike targeted Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. Local officials reported that three people were killed, and 21 others were wounded during this initial assault. Later in the day, Russian forces dropped aerial bombs on the city center, claiming another life and injuring five more individuals, according to the city’s mayor.
The escalation in hostilities comes amid accusations from both sides regarding attempts to sabotage a planned prisoner exchange. This follows a recent drone attack by Ukraine on military airfields deep within Russia, which caught the Kremlin off guard.
The assault on Kharkiv was part of a broader and ongoing series of attacks across Ukraine, which have become almost daily occurrences since the war intensified on February 24, 2022. The strikes included the use of aerial glide bombs, which have become a common feature of Russia’s military strategy.
Residents of Kharkiv described the chaos that ensued after the strikes. Alina Belous recounted her harrowing experience trying to save a young girl trapped in a burning building. She and her neighbors attempted to put out the flames with buckets of water until firefighters arrived. Another resident, Vadym Ihnachenko, initially mistook the flames for a neighboring building on fire until he realized it was his own.
Ukraine’s air force reported that during the night, Russian forces launched 215 missiles and drones, while Ukrainian defenses managed to intercept 87 drones and seven missiles. Other regions, including Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Ternopil, were also targeted during these attacks.
Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, stated that the strikes damaged 18 apartment buildings and 13 private homes, marking one of the most intense attacks on the city since the war began. Among the wounded were two children, including a baby boy and a 14-year-old girl.
Rescue efforts continued as six individuals were reported trapped under the rubble of an industrial facility in Kharkiv. Local authorities have lost contact with those trapped and have been working tirelessly to reach them.
In the midst of this violence, diplomatic efforts for peace have stalled. A U.S.-led initiative has facilitated two rounds of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, but no significant progress has been made. Both sides remain far apart on their terms for ending the conflict.
The situation worsened as both nations accused each other of jeopardizing a planned exchange of 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed in action. Conflicting claims arose regarding the timing and logistics of this exchange, with each side blaming the other for the delay.
As the fighting continues, the humanitarian toll on civilians grows heavier, and the prospect of peace remains uncertain.