Massive Russian Missile Strikes Hit Kharkiv Twice in One Day, Killing at Least 17 and Injuring 44

Kharkiv has been under relentless Russian missile attacks for a full day on May 25.

The first attack with two guided aerial bombs occured at 4:17 PM, hitting a construction hypermarket and causing a fire covering 15,000 square meters.

Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed at least 17 deaths, among them a 12-year-old girl and her mother. Additionally, over 40 people were injured and more than a dozen remain missing, according to a report earlier that day by the National Police. Among those killed, there are 12 members of staff and 4 visitors.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a social media post, stated that over 200 people could have been in the hypermarket during the attack.

Emergency response crews are reported to be on the scene, with a mobile DNA lab deployed to assist with identification.

Authorities have been able to identify 11 bodies of those killed, additional data on the missing and injured is being updated.

Another Russian strike hit a dense residential area in central Kharkiv, leaving at least 18 people injured, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

Among the injured was a 13-year-old boy who was hospitalized and is undergoing surgery, Syniehubov reported.

Following Russian attacks, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and allowing Ukraine to strike military targets in Russia is the best way to prevent Russian attacks. “There are two ways for Ukraine’s partners to prevent such strikes. First: more ‘Patriots’ and other air defense systems for Ukraine. Second: Ukraine shooting down Russian military aircraft before they drop bombs on Kharkiv and other cities and communities”.

Russia has launched a new wave of missile strikes on Kharkiv amid its spring offensive, using guided aerial bombs and targeting civil infrastructure.