Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, has endured the most powerful Russian assault since the start of the full-scale war, according to city mayor Ihor Terekhov. Overnight and into the evening, Russian forces launched massive drone, missile, and guided bomb strikes, killing at least four people and injuring more than 60, including a baby.
Located just a few dozen kilometers from the Russian border, Kharkiv has been under constant shelling for over three years. Mayor Terekhov described the situation early on Saturday via Telegram: “Kharkiv is currently experiencing the most powerful attack since the start of the full-scale war.”
Kharkiv governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that one of the city’s civilian industrial facilities was targeted by 40 drones, one missile, and four bombs, resulting in a fire and possible individuals trapped under rubble.
In the evening, Russian aircraft continued the assault, deploying guided bombs over Kharkiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, calling them “another brutal murder.” He stated, “Last night, there was a massive drone strike on Kharkiv, and now there are aerial bombs. Dozens of people have been injured in the past 24 hours.”
The Ukrainian military reported that Russia launched 206 drones, two ballistic missiles, and seven other missiles against Ukraine overnight. Ukrainian air defense units managed to shoot down 87 drones. An additional 80 drones were lost due to electronic warfare tactics used by Ukraine or were drone simulators without warheads.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that its forces conducted a nighttime strike on Ukrainian military targets, including ammunition depots, drone assembly workshops, and weaponry repair stations. There was no comment from Moscow regarding the reported casualties in Kharkiv.
In recent days, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine, citing “terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime” following strikes on Russian railway infrastructure and air bases last weekend. During those attacks, a total of 41 Russian warplanes were reportedly hit by Ukrainian drones.
On Thursday night, Russia launched a massive wave of drone and missile attacks across Ukraine. The following day, an intense barrage targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the strikes on military and military-related targets were in response to alleged Ukrainian “terrorist acts” against Russia.
