KYIV, Ukraine — In a series of nighttime assaults, Russian drones, missiles, and bombs targeted the major Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Kharkiv, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and leaving 15 others injured, as stated by local authorities on Tuesday. This aerial offensive is part of a relentless attack on civilian areas that has persisted since Russia commenced its full-scale invasion nearly three years ago, leading to a significant number of casualties. Additionally, the Russian military continues to make aggressive advances on the front-line defenses situated in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
Another alarming development for officials in Kyiv has emerged, as reports indicate that North Korea has dispatched approximately 10,000 soldiers to assist in Russia’s military efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was anticipated to address this significant concern during a meeting on Tuesday in Reykjavik with leaders from Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
In the early hours, around 3 a.m., a Russian airstrike hit Kharkiv, located in northeast Ukraine, targeting a residence and resulting in the fatalities of four residents, according to regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov. The attack also caused damage to nearly 20 homes in the vicinity. Earlier, a glide bomb was dropped on the famed Derzhprom building in Kharkiv’s city center, resulting in injuries to seven individuals, as reported by Mayor Ihor Terekhov. The Derzhprom, recognized as the Palace of Industry, is noted for its modernist architecture and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Mayor Terekhov emphasized the recent escalation of attacks on Kharkiv, urging residents to take air raid warnings seriously and remain vigilant. Meanwhile, authorities in Kyiv reported that debris from intercepted Russian drones fell onto two districts within the city, leading to injuries for six people.
In response, Ukraine has utilized long-range drones to disrupt the Russian military operations and create challenges for the Kremlin by striking targets within Russia. Notably, a drone attack on a special forces academy in Chechnya, a region in Russia roughly 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of Ukraine, caused a fire that was quickly contained, as confirmed by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This incident marked the first drone strike of the conflict to occur on Chechen territory.
