A pre-dawn drone attack by Russian forces on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, has claimed the lives of at least five people, including emergency workers responding to an earlier site. At least one building and three vehicles were severely damaged. Five drones struck at around 01:00 am local time, according to Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of the city, on Thursday, 4 April, 2024.
The tragic fact is that three rescue workers, who were at the site of an earlier attack, were caught in a repeat strike, perishing.
Accounts of Devastation
Ihor Terekhov, communicating through Telegram, revealed that four people succumbed to their injuries at the site of one attack. Kharkiv Regional Governor Oleh Synehubov, stated that the death toll has climbed to five, with an additional 12 individuals sustaining injuries, one of whom is currently in critical condition.
The assault targeted both residential areas, such as high-rise apartment blocks, shattering the tranquillity of the night. Terekhov further lamented that the strikes inflicted extensive damage, resulting in a fire, partial collapse of a building and damage of vehicles. Further, some districts can be hit by power cuts. The toll on human life was compounded by injuries sustained by bystanders, including a nurse who found herself caught in a secondary blast.
Images and videos circulating online captured the magnitude of the devastation, depicting fire trucks with their ladders extended towards shattered apartment complexes, illuminated by floodlights. The challenges emergency crews faced were formidable as well, due to the execution of their duties being rendered unsafe for at least an hour because of the intensity of the strikes, according to Suspilne public television. Terekhov told Suspilne that signs of life had been detected from one person beneath rubble.
These accounts remain unverified, so far.
Previous Attacks and Lack of Accountability
Russia has denied deliberately targeting civilians in the war, which has been going on for more than 2 years now. Kharkiv, a city besieged by relentless attacks, has once again borne the brunt of Russia’s aggression. Last week, Russian forces had used an aerial bomb on the city, killing one person. A missile attack on an industrial area earlier in the month had killed five people.
As the international community grapples with the ramifications of yet another deadly assault on Ukriane, the toll of the conflict deepens.
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