Russia strikes Kharkiv apartment blocks, over 20 wounded

On Saturday night, Russian airstrikes targeted high-rise apartment blocks in the Shevchenkivsky district of Kharkiv, Ukraine, resulting in 21 injuries, including children aged eight and 17. This attack followed another strike on Friday that left 15 people wounded, highlighting a pattern of escalating violence in the region. The strikes involved KAB-type aerial glide bombs, a retrofitted Soviet weapon that has been extensively used in eastern Ukraine, causing significant destruction to residential areas. Local authorities reported that both the 16 and 9-story buildings were destroyed, with seven additional structures sustaining damage. The ongoing assaults have raised concerns about the safety of civilians in urban areas, as the attacks occurred during nighttime, when many residents were likely at home. The Kharkiv mayor, Ihor Terekhov, emphasized the need for increased protection for civilians amid these repeated strikes. In addition to the apartment block attacks, Russia launched a significant aerial offensive involving 80 Shahed drones and two missiles overnight into Sunday. Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted 71 of the drones, while six others were lost due to electronic warfare measures. This demonstrates the ongoing conflict's intensity and the challenges faced by Ukrainian defense systems in protecting urban centers. The situation in Kharkiv reflects the broader context of the war in Ukraine, where civilian infrastructure has become a target, leading to widespread fear and displacement. The international community continues to monitor these developments, urging for a resolution to the conflict and protection for innocent lives caught in the crossfire.