Russian Shelling Damages Residential Buildings in Kharkiv, Injuring Six

On the night of April 24, 2024, Russian forces launched a missile attack on the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine, damaging four residential buildings and injuring six civilians. According to Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military District Administration, two S-300 missiles hit the central Shevchenkivskyi district of the city around 12:30 a.m., causing damage to apartment buildings, offices, shops, and cars.

The attack wounded three men aged 33, 45, and 53, and three women aged 24, 45, and 54. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that the strike also damaged critical gas infrastructure, leading to a temporary gas supply cut-off in the affected neighborhood. Repair work is underway to restore the gas supply. In addition to the residential buildings, the shelling damaged two office buildings, three non-residential structures, and a gas pipeline. Around 30 cars were also impacted, with a total of 568 windows shattered in the attack.

Why this matters: Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has been under daily attack by Russian forces since the start of the conflict in February 2022. The sustained bombing campaign has destroyed major power stations, schools, and first responder stations, yet residents continue to live and work in the city, reflecting their resilience in the face of ongoing violence.

The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office has initiated criminal proceedings over the shelling, which was carried out with missiles launched from the Belgorod region of Russia. Mayor Terekhov stated that the chaotic shelling is aimed at frightening the people and making them leave the city. "The work to repair the gas pipeline continued as the city raced to restore gas supply to the impacted part of the city on Wednesday morning," he said.

This attack comes just a day after Russian forces shelled Kharkiv three times, damaging residential buildings, garages, and cars in the Saltivskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts. Despite the sustained attacks, the city remains open for business, with residents adapting to living with only a few hours of electricity per day. The U.S. Senate also recently approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, reinforcing America's role in supporting Ukraine during the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Key Takeaways

• Russian missile attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine, damages buildings, injures 6 civilians
• Attack damages gas infrastructure, disrupting supply; repair work underway
• Kharkiv has faced daily attacks since 2022, but residents remain resilient
• Prosecutor's office initiates criminal proceedings; attack aimed at frightening residents
• U.S. Senate approves $95 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan