Zelenskyy vows response after Russian strike kills 10 in Kharkiv region
Photo: Aftermath of the August 18 attack on Pechenihy (t.me/dsns_telegram)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will definitely respond to Russia's missile strike on Pechenihy in the Kharkiv region, where at least 10 people were killed.
“We will definitely respond” - Zelenskyy
The president said the Russian strike on a civilian intersection would not go unanswered by Moscow.
“We will definitely respond to this Russian strike. And it is equally important that our partners also complement our just kinetic responses with their own actions to put pressure on Russia and support Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stressed.
The president called the strike brutal, saying the missiles hit exactly where a post office and shops were located, with residential buildings all around.
According to Zelenskyy, 10 people are currently known to have been killed.
This morning, the Russians launched a brutal attack on a busy intersection in Pechenihy, Kharkiv region – a location with a post office and stores, surrounded only by residential buildings.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 18, 2026
As of now, 10 people have been reported killed. My condolences to their families and… pic.twitter.com/AnFmXsSzAS
Many people were injured and are already receiving all necessary medical assistance. Rescuers extinguished the fire that broke out following the strike, while all emergency and response services continue to work at the scene.
Earlier, on the night of August 18, Russian forces launched more than 140 drones at Ukraine, including Shahed and Gerbera attack drones and Parody decoy drones, attacking from six directions at once.
As RBC-Ukraine reported, Ukrainian air defenses shot down or suppressed 111 enemy drones, although strikes were recorded at 19 locations.
The missile strike on Pechenihy was reported in the morning. Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, confirmed that Russian forces used two small Banderol cruise missiles. The number of injured rose to 17.
The strike damaged private homes, a cafe, a post office, a store and several vehicles.
Criminal proceedings have been opened over the attack under the article concerning a war crime that resulted in deaths.
