Ihor Terekhov, mayor of Kharkov in northeastern Ukraine, announced on 2/1 that "the enemy launched an attack on central Kharkov. The consequences are being clarified." He later stated an apartment building was hit, injuring at least 30 people, with one in critical condition.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X, "preliminary information indicates two missiles struck a residential area, severely damaging one of the buildings", adding that rescue efforts are underway.
Moment a russian ballistic missile explodes in central Kharkov in a video posted on 2/1. Video: X/Svyrydenko_Y
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko posted a video recorded from a car camera, showing the moment a russian missile exploded, creating thick smoke and dust and forcing vehicles on the road to turn back. Oleh Synyehubov, head of Kharkov province's military administration, stated this was a ballistic weapon strike.
Earlier the same day, Ukrainian officials reported that Russia also launched a large-scale unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack on Zaporizhzhia during the night, causing widespread damage to residential and commercial buildings and setting a shopping center ablaze.
President Zelensky accused Russia of not wanting to end the war, calling on countries to increase support for Ukraine to improve air defense capabilities and protect civilian lives. The russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the Kharkov strike.
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The scene of devastation after the attack in central Kharkov, Ukraine, in an image posted on 2/1. Photo: X/ZelenskyyUa
Russian officials previously accused Ukraine of launching a series of unmanned aerial vehicles at a hotel and cafe in a Moscow-controlled area of Kherson province on New Year's Eve, when at least 100 civilians were present. The strike killed 27 people and sent 31 to medical facilities.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces asserted they only attack russian military targets, accusing Moscow of continuously "disseminating false information and untrue statements". A source from the Ukrainian military confirmed to AFP news agency that an attack occurred, but stated the target was a military gathering point where civilians were not permitted.
Pham Giang (According to United24, Kyiv Independent, TASS)
