Early on Monday morning, a Russian strike struck a nine-storey apartment block in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, injuring 25 people, including nine children. Regional authorities reported that emergency workers evacuated 32 residents from the damaged building, which sustained significant structural damage.
The attack is the latest in a series of Russian strikes targeting civilian infrastructure across Ukraine, as the war enters its third year. Kharkiv, located just 30 kilometres from the Russian border, has been a frequent target, with residential areas and energy facilities repeatedly hit.
Rescue operations and local response
Rescue teams worked through the morning to search for survivors and clear debris. According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, 32 residents were evacuated, including several elderly people and families with young children. The injured were taken to local hospitals, with medical staff reporting that some are in serious condition.
Kharkiv's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, condemned the strike, calling it "another act of terror against peaceful civilians." He urged residents to remain in shelters during air raid alerts and stressed the need for continued international support to strengthen Ukraine's air defence capabilities.
The attack comes amid heightened diplomatic activity in Europe, where EU defence ministers have been discussing Ukraine's funding shortfall and the broader security situation. The bloc has pledged long-term military and financial assistance, but Kyiv continues to press for faster deliveries of air defence systems and ammunition.
Ukraine's broader budget situation remains a concern, with the government recently narrowing its budget gap to $20 billion, though it still relies heavily on allied support to sustain its defence and social spending.
Russian strikes on civilian areas have drawn widespread condemnation from European leaders. The EU has been exploring joint responses to Russian hybrid sabotage, which includes attacks on infrastructure and disinformation campaigns. Meanwhile, the human toll continues to mount, with recent drone barrages killing civilians in Kyiv and Odesa.
Kharkiv's residents have shown remarkable resilience, but the psychological and physical toll of repeated attacks is immense. Local authorities have set up temporary accommodation for those whose homes were damaged, and volunteers are providing food, clothing, and medical supplies.
The international community has repeatedly called on Russia to halt strikes on civilian infrastructure, but Moscow has dismissed such appeals. As the war grinds on, European capitals are weighing how to sustain support for Ukraine while managing domestic economic pressures.
For now, the people of Kharkiv are left to pick up the pieces once again, hoping that the promised air defence systems will arrive before the next strike.
