Russian missile strike on Kharkiv: Death toll rises

According to Oleh Syniehubov, fragments of a human body were found following an enemy strike.

"The death toll has now reached three people," Syniehubov wrote.

Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing at the site of the tragedy, and specialists continue inspecting the affected areas to determine the exact number of casualties and provide assistance to those affected.

Kharkiv strike on January 2

As reported by the head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, a missile hit a five-story residential building in Kharkiv’s Kyivskyi district.

"The central part of the city suffered two ballistic missile strikes, with direct hits on a residential building," Syniehubov clarified.

The attack completely destroyed the building and caused a fire. Nearby buildings were also damaged, with broken windows and facades. Emergency services, the State Emergency Service (DSNS), and city and regional authorities were on site. A total of 31 people were injured.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that the strike destroyed a shopping center, damaged multiple residential buildings, and shattered thousands of windows.

The heating network was damaged, a hospital was hit — over 100 windows were broken — and the power grid supplying trams and trolleybuses was also affected.

"We are now working on restoring damaged buildings and the heating supply. The destruction is extensive," Terekhov said.

On January 2, Russian forces struck the central part of Kharkiv with two missiles. According to the Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office, the weapons used were Iskander ballistic missiles.

A search-and-rescue operation is ongoing at the site of the damaged residential building, and up to five people may still be trapped under the debris.

The strike killed a child, whose body was found under the rubble. According to unconfirmed reports, the child had been trapped with their mother.