Russian drone attack claims lives in Kharkiv, Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine – Tragedy struck in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, on Saturday as a Russian drone attack targeted a petrol station, claiming the lives of seven people, including three children.

The devastating assault left nearby homes engulfed in flames, forcing the evacuation of at least 50 residents, according to regional officials.

Kharkiv governor Oleg Synegubov conveyed the grim news on the Telegram social network, stating, “Unfortunately, the death toll from the occupiers’ attacks on Kharkiv has risen to seven.”

He further revealed the heartbreaking loss of three children, aged 7, 4, and approximately six months old, in the attack.

The assault, carried out by Iranian-made drones known as Shaheds, struck a petrol station in Kharkiv’s Nemyshlyanskyi district, causing a catastrophic spill of burning fuel.

The resulting inferno spread to nearby residential properties, leaving a trail of destruction across the area.

Kharkiv mayor Igor Terekhov expressed the scale of the devastation, noting that the attack led to the destruction of 14 private houses and sparked a widespread fire that engulfed a significant area.

The aftermath of the assault left communities grappling with the loss of life and extensive property damage.

Regional prosecutor Oleksandr Filachkov emphasized the severity of the incident, highlighting the destruction of critical infrastructure at the petrol station and the catastrophic consequences of the ensuing fire.

The attack comes in the wake of a series of nighttime assaults in Kharkiv and a village located east of the regional capital, further exacerbating tensions in the region.

As the international community condemns the violence and loss of innocent lives, Ukrainian authorities are left grappling with the aftermath of yet another devastating attack.

The tragic events in Kharkiv serve as a stark reminder of the escalating conflict and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.