Deadly strikes rock Kharkiv as Russia claims fresh advances

deadly strikes rock kharkiv as russia claims fresh advances

Deadly strikes rock Kharkiv as Russia claims fresh advances

Russian strikes on Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv killed at least seven people with dozens more wounded, authorities said Thursday, as Moscow claimed fresh advances on the front line.

deadly strikes rock kharkiv as russia claims fresh advances

A devastated building in Kharkiv after the latest strikes

The northeast border region surrounding Kharkiv has become the latest flashpoint of the war after Russian forces launched a surprise ground offensive this month, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents.

deadly strikes rock kharkiv as russia claims fresh advances

Law enforcement officers carry the body of a person killed during a Russian aerial attack on Kharkiv

The barrage of more than a dozen strikes came as Moscow said it captured Andriivka in the industrial Donetsk region, one of the few villages Ukraine wrested back in its lacklustre counteroffensive last summer.

Kyiv's forces are suffering manpower and ammunition shortages and struggling to hold off Russian attacks.

Emergency workers were clearing debris, extinguishing flames and retrieving victims from the rubble in the aftermath of the latest attack on Kharkiv, images distributed by Ukrainian officials showed.

President Volodymyr Zelensky described the barrage as "brutal" and said Russia was "taking advantage" of Ukraine's lack of air defence systems to launch deadly attacks on towns and cities at his country's border.

deadly strikes rock kharkiv as russia claims fresh advances

Map of areas controlled by Ukrainian and Russian forces in Ukraine, as of May 22, 1900 GMT

The regional governor said seven people had been killed and that another 20 were wounded. A second strike later in the nearby town of Dergachi left another 13 wounded, he added.

Ukraine's national railway operator said civilian railway infrastructure had been hit in Kharkiv and the surrounding region in the aerial assault, with six of its employees wounded.

Regional authorities said a major Ukrainian printing press had also been damaged, and AFP journalists at the scene saw firefighters dousing piles of charred books.

deadly strikes rock kharkiv as russia claims fresh advances

Friends and relatives of captured Ukrainian marines take part in a rally to demand their return in Kyiv

- Ukraine 'lacks' air defences -

Kharkiv, which is the second-largest city in Ukraine and lies just dozens of kilometres from the border with Russia, has been under persistent shelling since Moscow's forces invaded in February 2022.

"Russian terrorists are taking advantage of the fact that Ukraine still lacks sufficient air defence protection," Zelensky said on social media.

Ukrainian officials have been urging allies to send more air defences and this week suggested that Kyiv's neighbours shoot down Russian missiles using systems deployed in their own countries.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba again called on Ukraine's Western partners to send seven Patriot systems, saying "they are needed now, not tomorrow".

"No naming and shaming, but I once again urge countries that have Patriots to speed up decisions and provide these systems to Ukraine," Kuleba added in a social media post.

Separately, the head of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, which the Kremlin claims is part of Russian territory, said a 74-year-old man was killed by Russian shelling on the village of Mala Tokmachka.

Russian forces have in recent weeks made their biggest territorial gains in a year in the war-battered east as Ukraine waits for desperately needed US and European weapon supplies.

The defence ministry in Moscow said on Thursday it had recaptured the village of Andriivka in the eastern Donetsk region.

The advances in Kharkiv have forced nearly 11,000 people to flee their homes since Moscow launched its ground assault on May 10, regional officials meanwhile said.

Russian authorities meanwhile said that Ukrainian attacks on the border region of Belgorod and in the occupied Ukrainian region of Donetsk left two dead.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his army launched the offensive in Kharkiv to create a buffer zone that would protect Russian border villages from Ukrainian attacks.

bur-jbr/fg

OTHER NEWS

1 hour ago

Every New Stage in Super Mario Party Jamboree Revealed So Far

1 hour ago

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Adds 2022 Sandbox Survival RPG

1 hour ago

Well-Received Switch Console Exclusive is Coming to PlayStation and Xbox

1 hour ago

Johnny Depp Honors Late Jeff Beck with London Performance on What Would Have Been Musician's 80th Birthday

1 hour ago

FedEx Soars as Cost Cuts Drive Better-Than-Expected Forecast

2 hrs ago

New York Knicks draft picks: 5 best draft steals since 2000

2 hrs ago

It will be hot in PH with isolated downpours due to easterlies

2 hrs ago

Bulls G Josh Giddey explains why he requested trade from Thunder

2 hrs ago

Pistons emerge as potential landing spot for Mavericks wing

2 hrs ago

MLB strikeout props for Tue. 6/25: Fade Adam this eve

2 hrs ago

Why Dodgers are best match for Randy Arozarena at MLB trade deadline

2 hrs ago

4 Detroit Tigers who won't survive the trade deadline after recent skid

2 hrs ago

Red Sox DH says he misses playing in the outfield

2 hrs ago

Cubs vs Giants: June 25, 2024 game notes, betting odds, etc.

2 hrs ago

Queues on new A27 roundabout 'beyond frustrating'

2 hrs ago

Daniel Ezra Is Leaving “All American ”After 6 Seasons: 'Spencer's Goodbye'

2 hrs ago

Peso slightly stronger; PSEi gains more ground

2 hrs ago

Brewers acquire former Cy Young winner in trade

2 hrs ago

Marcos leads opening of PH’s biggest hotel

2 hrs ago

Marcos vows maritime industry modernization

2 hrs ago

Pentagon chief, Russian defense minister discuss open lines of communication

2 hrs ago

Vitamin C for sensitive skin — now possible

3 hrs ago

Are Wrexham playing Birmingham City in USA? Ryan Reynolds responds to reports of EFL game vs. Tom Brady team in United States

3 hrs ago

‘Pink or Fake?’: Authenticity of viral ‘rare pink dolphin’ photos in North Carolina questioned

3 hrs ago

Luzon mayors ask Marcos to stop plan to revive e-sabong

3 hrs ago

'Every trench' in Ukraine needs a close-range electronic warfare shield against drones and other threats, top official says

3 hrs ago

German minister wants up to 15 billion eur munitions deal, says source

3 hrs ago

Reporter addresses latest NFL position group to see market value drop

3 hrs ago

‘Red One' Trailer: Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans Team Up to Rescue a Kidnapped Santa Claus in Prime Video's Christmas Action Movie

3 hrs ago

Last-Minute Law on Restaurant Fees Inches Toward Approval Ahead of July 1 Deadline

3 hrs ago

Should You Buy the Dip In Nvidia Stock? Here's What the Fundamentals Say

3 hrs ago

Mendoza, Alburo win, earn finals spots

3 hrs ago

S&P trims PH 2024 growth forecast to 5.8%

3 hrs ago

“SEAL Team” Final Season Trailer Teases 'One Last Ride' for David Boreanaz's Bravo Team

3 hrs ago

Hong Kong court edges closer to sentencing democracy activists involved in unofficial primary

3 hrs ago

Crumbl Is Making Cookie Cereal & Fans Are Divided

3 hrs ago

Verizon to pay $1 million fine over 911 call outage in 2022

3 hrs ago

Triumphs in collaborative architecture and design

3 hrs ago

Paul McCartney, 82, amazes fans with dance moves at Taylor Swift’s concert

3 hrs ago

Boaz Weinstein Says Biden Is Better for Bond Market Than Trump