Russia attacked a busy seaside resort on the outskirts of Ukraine's second-largest city on Sunday and in addition attacked villages in the encompassing region, killing at the least 11 people and wounding scores.
The rocket attacks were the most recent sustained Russian attacks in recent weeks on the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine Russian troops have launched an offensive.
Valentyna, 69, had blood running down her face within the lakefront resort area where her home and a busy restaurant nearby were destroyed. Her husband was killed by the water, she said, pointing to the realm near the shore where there was now a crater, debris and bodies.
“Losing my husband, losing my house, losing everything in the world, it hurts, it hurts me,” she cried through tears. “They (the Russians) are animals, why do they have to kill people?”
According to the general public prosecutor's office, six people were killed there, one continues to be missing and 27 were injured. Rescuers said the primary attack was followed by a second attack about 20 minutes later, targeting emergency responders on the scene in a so-called “double tap.”
“There were never soldiers here,” said Jaroslaw Trofimko, a police inspector who arrived after the primary attack after which became involved within the second strike. “It was a Sunday, people should be here to rest, children should be here, pregnant women should be here, resting and enjoying a normal life.”
Another five people were killed and nine injured later within the day in two villages in Kupiansk District. Local governor Oleh Syniehubov said Russian forces shelled two villages within the district with a self-propelled multiple rocket launcher.
President Volodymyr Zelensky again called on Western allies to equip Kiev with additional air defense systems to guard Kharkiv and other cities.
“The world can stop Russian terror – and to do so must overcome the lack of political will among leaders,” Zelensky said on Telegram.
“Two Patriots for Kharkiv will make a fundamental difference,” he said, referring to the Patriot missile defense systems. Air defense systems for other cities and sufficient support for soldiers on the front would ensure Russia's defeat, the president added
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