Russian strike on Kharkiv leaves people trapped under collapsed building
Photo: emergency services working at the impact site (facebook.com/DSNSKharkiv)
Russian forces carried out an airstrike on Kharkiv overnight on Saturday, June 20, using guided aerial bombs. A strike was recorded in a residential area, where a multi-story apartment building sustained significant damage, according to the city's mayor, Ihor Terekhov.
During search and rescue operations, rescuers recovered the body of a deceased person, Terekhov said.
As of the morning, the number of people rescued from under the rubble of the destroyed building has increased significantly. According to Terekhov, quoted by Suspilne, State Emergency Service rescuers have already freed eight people from beneath the debris. The last rescued at this time was a woman, who was handed over to emergency medical teams.
The mayor also clarified the details of the overnight attack. Russian forces fired three guided aerial bombs at the city: two hit Kharkiv, while the third was intercepted by air defense forces. Search and rescue operations at the impact site are ongoing.
The guided aerial bomb struck the Kholodnohirskyi district of Kharkiv shortly before 4 a.m. As a result of the explosion, a two-story residential building was heavily damaged.
At this time, five civilian casualties have been confirmed, including a small boy.
According to preliminary information from rescue services, people may still be trapped under the rubble of the destroyed building.
An emergency response headquarters has been deployed at the site. Emergency medical teams and all relevant rescue services are working to locate trapped residents and clear the debris of the damaged two-story building.
On June 15, Russian forces shelled the Kharkiv zoo, injuring animals, and later carried out a deliberate follow-up strike. During the response to that attack, five State Emergency Service rescuers were killed at the scene of the fire.
The day before, the attackers struck the Kharkiv Art Museum, causing several people to suffer acute stress reactions, and later hit an enterprise in the Kholodnohirskyi district, where fire engulfed the third floor of the building. On the night of June 10, Russian forces also launched a record 26 drone attacks on Kharkiv, injuring five people.
