TV tower collapses in Ukraine's Kharkiv after Russian missile attack

People walk next to a part of a television tower partially destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine April 22, 2024. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova

KHARKIV, Ukraine (Reuters) – The 240-metre television tower in Ukraine’s city of Kharkiv broke in half and fell to the ground on Monday, footage obtained by Reuters showed, after what local officials said was likely a Russian missile attack on television infrastructure.

A view shows a television tower partially destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine April 22, 2024. REUTERS/Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy

The broadcasting signal was disrupted to Ukraine’s second largest city, which has been pounded by Russian missile and drone strikes in recent weeks.

People stand next to a part of a television tower partially destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine April 22, 2024. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova

“At the moment there are interruptions to the digital television signal,” regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

There were no casualties because workers were in shelters, he added.

Footage from the scene showed the main mast of the tower breaking off and falling down as a cloud of smoke rose into the sky.

It was not clear from the footage what had hit the mast, but Kharkiv prosecutors said Russia had likely used a cruise Kh-59 missile in the attack.

Police officers stand next to a part of a television tower partially destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine April 22, 2024. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova

The video was verified by corroborating video from another angle showing the same moment the top of the tower collapsed.

Russia first attacked Kharkiv’s television tower several times in early March 2022 soon after it launched its full-scale invasion. The signal was disrupted at the time.

Moscow has recently stepped up its attacks, while Ukraine is suffering a shortage of air defense capabilities. Kharkiv and the surrounding region have experienced the most intense strikes.

A view shows a television tower partially destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine April 22, 2024. REUTERS/Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by)