A view shows a crater that appeared after a Russian missile hit a resort building during Russia’s attack on Ukraine in Kharkiv, Ukraine, May 19, 2024.Reuters/Valentin Ogilenko
Valentin Ogilenko | Reuters
Russia attacked a busy lakeside resort on the outskirts of Ukraine’s second-largest city on Sunday, as well as villages in the surrounding area, killing at least 11 people and wounding dozens.
The missile attack was the latest in a series of Russian attacks on the Kharkov region in northeastern Ukraine in recent weeks. russian army The attack began.
Valentina, 69, bled from her face at the lakeside resort where her home was destroyed and a busy restaurant nearby. Her husband died in the water, she said, pointing to an area near the coast where there were now craters and debris and bodies.
“It hurts to lose your husband, to lose your home, to lose everything in the world, it hurts me too,” she cried tearfully, adding, “They (Russians) are animals. Why do they have to kill people?” ?” he said.
Prosecutors said six people were killed there, one was still missing and 27 were injured. Rescue services said the first attack was followed by a second one about 20 minutes later, targeting emergency workers at the scene in a so-called “double tap.”
“There were no soldiers here,” said Inspector Yaroslav Trofimko, who arrived after the first attack and was later involved in the second attack. “Because it was Sunday, people should have rested here, children should have rested here, pregnant women should have rested here and enjoyed normal life.”
Five more people were killed and nine others injured in two villages in the Kupiansk district later that day. Local governor Ole Sinyevov said Russian forces had shelled two villages in the district with self-propelled multiple rocket artillery.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy renewed his call for Western allies to supply Kiev with additional air defense systems to protect Kharkiv and other cities.
“The world can stop Russian terrorism, and for that the lack of political will among leaders must be overcome,” President Zelenskiy said on Telegram.
“Having two Patriots in Kharkov will bring fundamental changes,” he said, referring to the Patriot missile defense system. With air defense systems to other cities and sufficient support to soldiers on the front lines, Russia’s defeat will be ensured, the president added.
