Girl, 14, killed as Russian strike hits Kharkiv playground

A devastating Russian airstrike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has resulted in the death of a 14-year-old girl and inflicted significant damage on the city. Local officials report that the strike, involving a guided bomb, hit a playground, leading to the tragic loss of the young girl’s life. In addition to the fatality, the attack caused extensive damage to a nearby 12-storey residential building, where at least six others were killed and 59 injured.

Images from the scene depict flames and thick black smoke billowing from the upper floors of the damaged building. Firefighters are seen working diligently to rescue trapped individuals, as many are hurriedly evacuated from the area.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed his appeals for international support, urging Ukraine’s global allies to permit strikes against targets within Russia. This call follows a recent barrage in which Moscow’s forces launched over 400 drones and missiles at Ukraine within a single week. The tragic events in Kharkiv occurred shortly before President Zelensky dismissed Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, the head of Ukraine’s air force.

Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, lies approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the Russian border and has been subjected to frequent assaults since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Regional head Oleh Sinehubov reported on Telegram that 59 individuals, including nine children, sustained injuries in the recent attack. Of these, 20 are in serious condition, and some may require amputations. Further images reveal significant damage, including a collapsed outer wall and numerous burning vehicles.

Sinehubov asserted that the strikes were launched from Russia’s Belgorod region, located just across the border. He emphasized that the missiles appeared to have guidance systems, suggesting a deliberate targeting of civilian areas. “These streets are predominantly parks with large numbers of civilians. This is mass terror against our population,” he said.

President Zelensky condemned the attack, asserting that it targeted ordinary civilians and could have been avoided if Ukraine had the capability to counteract Russian military aircraft at their bases. He criticized the restrictions imposed by Ukraine’s Western allies on the use of their weaponry for strikes within Russian territory, arguing that such limitations endanger Ukrainian lives.

While the UK has permitted the use of most supplied equipment for strikes on Russian targets, it has restricted the use of long-range Storm Shadow missiles. The US has allowed some strikes within Russia, particularly near Kharkiv, but continues to restrict attacks deeper into Russian territory. President Zelensky emphasized the need for long-range capabilities and full implementation of air defense agreements to safeguard Ukrainian lives.

In response to the Kharkiv attacks, US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink expressed solidarity with the city’s residents, stating, “Our thoughts are with the people of Kharkiv as rescue operations are underway. Russia must be held accountable for these war crimes.”

Recent reports suggest that Western technology and funding have enabled Ukraine to carry out numerous long-range strikes within Russia using Ukrainian-produced drones. These strikes have targeted air force bases, oil and ammunition depots, and command centers.

Meanwhile, in the western Belgorod region, Russian officials reported that five people were killed by Ukrainian strikes. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed that 37 civilians were also injured, attributing the damage to the use of “cluster munitions” by Ukrainian forces.