Ukraine issues missile alert and 11,000 ordered to flee as Putin makes gains in Kharkiv
Ukraine has issued a missile alert and 11,000 people have been ordered to flee after reports of multiple explosions thought to be missiles.
There were at least ten explosions in the city, and although casualties have been reported, it is not clear how many. Vehicles and buildings, including a kindergarten and apartment complexes, have reportedly been destroyed as a result of Russia's advance on the region. News of the explosions were in reference to the Telegram of Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov and Kharkiv OVA Chairman Oleg Sinegubov.
Sinegubov wrote: "Explosion in Kharkiv. Stay in shelters!" The mayor of Kharkiv confirmed the explosion urged residents to be careful as he warned more attacks are possible. Terekhov said: "There has been an explosion in Kharkiv. Be careful - more attacks on the city are possible."
Local news outlet RBC said in an online post at 10:40am: "A series of explosions rang out in Kharkiv." It added: "The occupiers struck Kharkiv at least five times." One person, posting to X, said: "Repeated explosions in #Kharkiv. Some reporting as many as 7 or 8 explosions in the last half hour. There are fires and smoke", accompanied with images of large, grey clouds of smoke filling the sky. They added: "#Kharkiv has been battered by around a dozen S-300/400 missiles." Another resident said: "I heard 11 very powerful explosions in 20 minutes."
A destroyed vehicle is seen after Russian attack in Kharkiv on May 22
At 11:00, (09:00 GMT), the head of the OVA said occupiers struck around 10 blows on Kharkiv, with only civilian infrastructure under massive shelling. He said: "According to preliminary data, five civilians were injured. The occupiers also hit Zolochiv, at least two were injured." He also claimed medics provided assistance to two more injured as a result of enemy shelling in Lubotyn. He later wrote: "At least five blows were struck by the occupiers."
According to RBC, an air alert was announced in some regions of Ukraine. The regions include Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Kyiv, Kirovohrad and Vinnytsia, which all remain "red". It added occupiers had hit a civilian printing company. Sinegubov said "preliminarily, one person died, six people were injured. There is a fire in the paper shop."
Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of Kharkiv, announced the news of the shelling on his Facebook page and said: "A total of 10980 people were evacuated from Chuguiv, Kharkiv, Bogodukhiv districts." In reference to the recent attacks in Kharkiv, he said: "As a result of the KAB shelling in the Shevchenkivsk district, the glass windows in 3 apartment buildings, the building of two cafes, the car wash, the gas station glazing, the building of a grocery store, 2 trams and 11 cars, 1 vehicle has been destroyed.
Russian troops have continued their advance on the Ukrainian city
The governer said 12 people have been injured in the Coldnogirsky district, while enemy shelling left a house and gas pipeline in Kupiansk-Vuzlovi damaged. A fire also reportedly ripped through the first and second floor of a kindergarten. Three apartment buildings, a kindergarten building, store premises, office premises, pharmacy and four cars were damaged, according to Syniehubov. He added eight people were injured.
The post continues: "In the Kharkiv direction, 8 attacks of the opponent in the areas of the villages of Liptsi and Starytsia. Fighting in the direction of Pletenivka-Vovchansk continues. The situation is under control by the Defense Forces. In the Kupyan direction of the defense forces repelled 22 attacks of the zagarbnikív. There are still four combat clashes in the areas of Berestovogo and Makííivka. The situation is under control. A total of 10980 people were evacuated from Chuguiv, Kharkiv, Bogodukhiv districts."
The news comes shortly after citizens of Kharkiv made a desperate plea begging people "don't forget us" as Russian troops continue their advance on the Ukrainian city with "bombings every day several times a day".