Kharkiv Devastated by Relentless Russian Strikes Amid Rising Casualties and Diplomatic Strains

Kharkiv, a northeastern Ukrainian city close to the Russian border, was rocked by a series of brutal attacks early Saturday. Over 40 explosions were reported, resulting in the deaths of at least three people, making it one of the most devastating days for the city since the war began.

These massive strikes followed a bold Ukrainian drone attack that reportedly disabled a significant portion of Russia’s cruise missile fleet. In apparent retaliation, Russia launched a wave of air assaults across Ukraine, with Kharkiv bearing the brunt of the renewed offensive.

Mayor Igor Terekhov described the attack as the most intense Kharkiv has seen in the full-scale conflict. He confirmed that the strikes included a deadly mix of missiles, drones, and guided aerial bombs, calling it an act of terror targeting civilians.

Among the hardest-hit areas was the Osnovyanskyi district, where a multi-story apartment building caught fire, killing two individuals. In the Kyivskyi district, a separate strike claimed the life of another person when a house was destroyed. Emergency responders worked frantically to rescue survivors.

Authorities said more than 50 drones were used, in addition to a missile and four guided bombs. The Kharkiv region prosecutor’s office revealed that a music school and an administrative building were also damaged. A baby and a teenage girl were among those injured.

Terrifying personal accounts emerged from survivors. Ruslana Sheveleva described how her neighbors’ house was hit, killing a young man instantly and burying his mother under rubble. Another resident, Iryna Ivanenko, said her daughter was trapped under a slab and cried for help until firefighters arrived.

In a related development, Russia claimed that Ukraine suddenly postponed a scheduled prisoner swap and the return of fallen soldiers. Kremlin official Vladimir Medinsky accused Ukraine of not showing up at the designated exchange site, calling the delay indefinite and unexplained.

Ukrainian authorities rejected Russia’s narrative, stating the claims were false. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force announced it had downed a Russian Su-35 fighter jet in the Kursk region. While Russia has not officially responded, a military blogger confirmed the aircraft’s loss and the pilot’s rescue.