A Russian missile struck a high-rise residential building in Kharkiv, casualties reported
During the night of 26 February, Russian forces carried out a combined attack on Kharkiv, using strike drones and ballistic missiles. A direct hit on a multi-storey residential building was recorded in the city, and a gas pipeline and overhead contact lines were damaged, sparking fires.
This was reported on Telegram by the Mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov.
According to the mayor, the shelling began at approximately 03:40. The enemy first launched Shahed-type UAVs, after which ballistic missiles were fired at the city. As of 04:45, explosions were periodically heard in Kharkiv.
Damage was recorded in at least four districts: Kyivskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Slobidskyi and Saltivskyi.
“As a result of strikes by two ballistic missiles and a group of Shahed-type UAVs on the Kyivskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts of the city, multi-apartment residential buildings and private houses were damaged, contact line wires were severed, and a gas pipeline was broken,” Terekhov reported.
He later clarified that in the Shevchenkivskyi district there had been a direct hit on a multi-storey residential building.
In the Slobidskyi district, a fire broke out at the site of one of the strikes. A private house was completely destroyed there, and one person was injured. People may be trapped under the rubble.
In the Saltivskyi district, a private residential house was destroyed as a result of the shelling. A fire broke out at the scene and debris formed.
One of the strikes during the night hit the Central Park.
The Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, reported that initially four people sought medical assistance, but the number of injured later rose to eight.
As of the morning, 14 people were reported injured across the region. Directly in Kharkiv, nine people were injured, including a seven-year-old boy. Medics are providing him with the necessary care.
Information regarding possible people trapped under the rubble and the full extent of the destruction is being clarified.
It should be recalled that on the night of 26 February, Russia carried out another large-scale aerial attack on Ukraine, using strike drones, ballistic and cruise missiles. Destruction of residential buildings, fires and infrastructure damage were recorded in a number of regions.
