Russia Targets a Recreational Area Near Kharkiv, Killing 7 Killed And Injuring 28

Russia launched two missile strikes using Iskander-M missiles on a recreational area in a Kharkiv suburb on the morning of May 19, killing seven people and injuring at least 28 more, according to Dmytro Chubenko, a spokesman for the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

Among those killed was a seven months pregnant woman, and among the wounded were an eight-year-old child, a paramedic, and two police officers. Nine citizens are in critical condition.

On May 20, divers found the body of a man near the recreation base destroyed by the strike. It was at the bottom of the lake.

Russian forces once again employed the prohibited tactic of double strikes, firing on the same target twice. Kharkiv police confirmed the use of Iskander-M missiles.

“At about 11:00 a.m. on May 19, the police received a report of shelling in the village of Cherkasska Lozova, Malodanylivka community, Kharkiv region. Police officers and medics arrived at the scene. Just 20 minutes later, the enemy struck the same street again,” the police said.

Local governor Oleh Syniehubov announced that May 20 will be a Day of Mourning in Kharkiv region due to the Russian attack.

“As a result of the shelling of the villages of Kivsharivka, Novoosinovye Kupyansk community, and Malodanylivka community, Russian forces killed 11 people. Among the dead is a pregnant woman. Eternal memory to all innocent victims of this war,” commented the governor.

On May 16, in an interview with ABC News foreign correspondent James Longman, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that 2 Patriot systems are needed to protect Kharkiv.