Zelenskyy on Russian strike on Kharkiv: Ukraine will respond even more principled and accurately
The Ukrainian Defense Forces will respond appropriately to today's Russian missile attack on Kharkiv; the response to the aggressor will be precise, stated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening video address.
The head of state noted that Kharkiv and the region have been targets for occupiers during shelling and attacks since the beginning of Russia's large-scale military aggression against Ukraine.
"Our Kharkiv. For over two years, Kharkiv and the region have endured terrible Russian strikes. Saltivka destroyed by missiles, other districts and streets of the city damaged. Villages and towns in the region are destroyed," the president said.
Today's rocket strike by Russian terrorists on the city, emphasizes Zelenskyy, can only influence a dignified response from the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
"Moreover, Ukraine will respond even more principled and accurately," stated the head of state.
He noted that today, as a result of the Russian rocket in Kharkiv, five people died, expressing condolences to all the relatives and loved ones of the victims, adding that necessary assistance is being provided to every injured person.
At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasizes the importance of having a sufficient number of air defense systems to protect cities from constant Russian shelling.
"Kharkiv needs an adequate number of air defense systems. Sumy region needs them. Chernihiv region and all our other regions suffering from Russian terror need them. These defense systems are available from our partners. And our partners need to understand that air defense systems are meant to save lives," the president said.
Shelling of Kharkiv on March 20
It was previously reported that on Wednesday, March 20, during a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv, an explosion occurred. Later, it became known about hits in the Holodnohirskyi district, casualties, and a strong fire. Currently, due to the shelling of Kharkiv on March 20, five fatalities have been confirmed. Police clarified that all the victims were civilians.
According to preliminary data, the strike was carried out by an Kh-59 missile. It is also worth noting that besides the fire caused by the shelling of the Russian occupiers, a single-story warehouse building on Hrekivska Street, in the Levada area of Kharkiv, was also ablaze.
In the evening, the Mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, announced that as a result of the missile strike in the city, five people are considered missing.