Russia strikes Kharkiv, hitting apartment building: Many injured reported
Photo: Russian troops carried out air strikes in Kharkiv (SES)
Explosions rocked Kharkiv this evening, September 21, following an enemy airstrike. A residential high-rise was hit in the city, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov and the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Syniehubov.
Explosions were heard in the Kharkiv area around 11 p.m. (Kyiv time). It is noted that the Russian troops used guided aerial bombs for the attack.
"Explosions heard in Kharkiv! Be cautious — the enemy has launched guided bombs," Terekhov warned.
Syniehubov confirmed the strike in Kharkiv as well.
According to preliminary information, Terekhov said the missile struck a residential high-rise.
"Information on casualties and damage is being gathered," he added.
The head of the regional administration reported two hits by guided bombs in Kharkiv, one of them in the Shevchenkivskyi district.
Emergency services responded to the scenes of the strikes, and the official stated and confirmed that a residential high-rise had been hit.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov later confirmed that there were casualties due to the airstrike.
Shortly afterward, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Syniehubov reported at least three injured as a result of the strike on the apartment building.
By around 11:30 p.m., Terekhov clarified that the strike on the residential high-rise had been confirmed.
"As of now, at least 12 people have been injured. Search and rescue operations are ongoing," he stated.
All relevant services and volunteers are at the scene, the mayor added.
By 11:41 p.m., Syniehubov confirmed that the injured had risen to 12. In addition, 60 residents had been evacuated from the building.
Updated: additional consequences
Around 11:50 p.m., Kharkiv’s mayor reported that several cars were on fire at the site of the strike, windows in nearby apartment buildings had been shattered, and 60 residents of the damaged building were evacuated.
"The area is still being inspected. The military has warned that there is an ongoing threat of airstrikes for frontline regions," the mayor said.
Updated: a child among the injured
The head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration clarified that 12 people were injured in the city’s Shevchenkivskyi district, including one child.
"Four cars across from the building caught fire, and 21 vehicles were damaged. The inspection of the site is ongoing," Syniehubov added.
Later, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that three minors were among the injured: one child is 8 years old, and two others are 17.
Russian strikes against Kharkiv and the region
It is important to note that Russian forces regularly shell settlements in the Kharkiv region.
For instance, on the evening of September 20, Russians once again launched guided bombs on Kharkiv, hitting three districts and injuring 15 people.
Additionally, on September 17, another Russian airstrike hit Kharkiv on Ukraine’s Rescuer’s Day. One of the guided bombs struck a wooded area near a shopping center, injuring nine people, most of whom were rescuers.
