Tragic Overnight Drone Assault in Kharkiv Claims Lives and Leaves Many Injured

Fresh drone attacks from Russia on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injured at least 60, including several children, Ukrainian authorities reported early Wednesday.

In recent weeks, Russia has been deploying an unprecedented number of drones and missiles against Ukraine, escalating more than three years of relentless bombardments while presenting demands that Kyiv has characterized as “ultimatums.”

Kharkiv, situated merely 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Russian border, has faced significant impacts from Moscow’s recent escalations.

“Tonight, there were seventeen strikes by enemy drones in two districts of the city,” said Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov via Telegram.

Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov verified that three fatalities occurred due to the attacks.

Journalists from AFP on-site observed damaged apartment buildings, burned-out vehicles, and streets littered with debris following the nighttime assaults.

Olena Khoruzheva, a 41-year-old pharmacist, recounted how she fled to the hallway with her two children upon hearing the approaching drones.

“The younger one lay on the floor with his hands over his head, and I shielded him,” she recounted to AFP. “We could hear it coming. There was silence, then we were slammed against the wall… there were more explosions, followed by people shouting ‘Help! Help!’”

Her 65-year-old neighbor was one of those killed.

An AFP reporter witnessed emergency responders retrieving one resident’s body from a damaged building early Wednesday, placing it in a black body bag.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia deployed 85 drones overnight, slightly fewer than in previous days.

These strikes occur amid calls from U.S. President Donald Trump for both parties to negotiate a peace agreement.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Western nations to exert greater pressure on Russia through stringent economic sanctions, which he believes would curtail its military capabilities.