Russian Airstrike Hits Downtown Kharkiv, Damaging Historic Derzhprom Building and Injuring at Least 9 People

Russian forces targeted downtown Kharkiv around 9 pm with guided aerial bombs, hitting a historical administrative building known as the “Derzhprom” and a medical institution. 

The Governor of the Kharkiv Region, Oleh Syniehubov reported at least 9 injured.

According to preliminary data, several floors were destroyed in the Derzhprom building.

Derzhprom , one of Ukraine’s earliest skyscrapers, was, at the time of its completion in 1928, the largest skyscraper in the USSR and the second in Europe, standing at 108 meters with its antenna.

This iconic Kharkiv landmark is an architectural monument and symbol of the city and houses several civil facilities. The building withstood German Nazi occupation during World War II without destruction yet sustained damage during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the 21st century.

In September 2023, the UNESCO Committee included Derzhprom in the International List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection.

Editor's note: This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available