Russia’s Missile Barrage Hits Kharkiv Resort, Kills Civilians.
Russian forces launched fresh missile attacks targeting parts of Kharkiv including a busy lakeside resort, leaving at least 11 dead including a pregnant woman. Several others sustained injuries in the strikes that erupted without warning on Sunday.
One such attack demolished a recreation center in the outskirts, with a police officer and medic hurt while responding. In the lakeside area, homes lay flattened, and a restaurant was razed.
Among the impacted was 69-year-old Valentyna, reeling in shock after losing her husband and house in the bombardment that left craters and corpses nearby. “It hurts to lose everything,” she said, grieving the senseless violence.
Eyewitness Yaroslav, who had arrived after the initial strike but got trapped in the second, noted the utter normalcy before horror-struck. “Children and expecting mothers were to enjoy a peaceful day,” he lamented.
Al Jazeera reported the Ukrainian military bore the brunt of battles, given their outnumbered strength against Russian forces in parts of the conflict zone. The intensity of attacks has forced over 9,000 evacuations from Kharkiv as per its governor.
With civilians now targeted in their places of leisure, the escalation has evoked widespread condemnation. As the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine deepens, calls grow for an immediate ceasefire to stop civilian casualties.
