Category
Latest news

Russian Drone Strikes Kharkiv Kindergarten, One Killed, Six Injured—Mayor Says

3 min read
Authors
Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk
Cyril Barabaltchouk
News Writer
Russian Drone Strikes Kharkiv Kindergarten, One Killed, Six Injured—Mayor Says
A Ukrainian emergency worker carries a young child to safety during evacuation efforts after the Kharkiv kindergarten attack. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)

Russia launched a morning drone attack on Kharkiv striking a private kindergarten in the city’s Kholodnohirskyi district, local authorities reported on October 22.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the strike caused a fire at the site and confirmed that several children were injured.

“All children have been evacuated from the kindergarten. Firefighters continue to work at the scene,” Terekhov wrote on Telegram.

Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said at least four people were wounded, two of them in critical condition. Later updates indicated two additional victims—a man and a woman—were hospitalized, with the woman suffering severe burns.

Firefighters climb ladders to access upper floors of the damaged kindergarten building during rescue operations in Kharkiv. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
Firefighters climb ladders to access upper floors of the damaged kindergarten building during rescue operations in Kharkiv. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
Emergency vehicles and debris litter the streets near the strike site in Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi district on October 22. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
Emergency vehicles and debris litter the streets near the strike site in Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi district on October 22. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
An emergency worker comforts a young child during evacuation efforts following the Russian strike on the Kharkiv kindergarten. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
An emergency worker comforts a young child during evacuation efforts following the Russian strike on the Kharkiv kindergarten. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
A man shields a child while evacuating through smoke-filled streets after the Russian drone strike on the Kharkiv kindergarten. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
A man shields a child while evacuating through smoke-filled streets after the Russian drone strike on the Kharkiv kindergarten. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
Smoke billows from the damaged kindergarten as firefighters and residents gather in the streets of Kharkiv after the morning drone attack. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
Smoke billows from the damaged kindergarten as firefighters and residents gather in the streets of Kharkiv after the morning drone attack. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
A rescuer carries a young girl away from the burning kindergarten building in Kharkiv on October 22. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
A rescuer carries a young girl away from the burning kindergarten building in Kharkiv on October 22. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
The destroyed kindergarten building in Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi district smolders as emergency crews work at the scene of the October 22 Russian drone attack. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
The destroyed kindergarten building in Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi district smolders as emergency crews work at the scene of the October 22 Russian drone attack. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
A Ukrainian police officer holds an evacuated child from the targeted private kindergarten in Kharkiv. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
A Ukrainian police officer holds an evacuated child from the targeted private kindergarten in Kharkiv. (Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)

As of midday, Terekhov confirmed that one person was killed in a strike on a kindergarten and five more were wounded. Emergency services remain on site.

Previously, it was reported that a massive Russian drone attack struck the Ukrainian town of Novhorod-Siverskyi, with approximately 20 Shahed drones hitting the area. The attack resulted in four civilian deaths—two men and two women. Seven others were injured, including a 10-year-old girl who is being transported to a children’s hospital in serious condition, Head of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration Vyacheslav Chaus reported.

UPD: Terekhov added that the number of victims has risen to seven. Among them is one man who died. Major also stated that, fortunately, there has been no confirmation of any children being injured.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike. He added there is never any justification for attacking a kindergarten and warned that Russia is becoming more brazen, arguing that “thugs and terrorists can only be put in their place by force.”

UPD: The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has released additional images showing the aftermath of the strike.

Burned-out cars lie outside the kindergarten as firefighters continue to extinguish the fire caused by the explosion. (Source: SBU)
Burned-out cars lie outside the kindergarten as firefighters continue to extinguish the fire caused by the explosion. (Source: SBU)
Blood marks the floor amid broken tiles and debris inside the kindergarten following the drone strike. (Source: SBU)
Blood marks the floor amid broken tiles and debris inside the kindergarten following the drone strike. (Source: SBU)
A narrow passage inside the building is littered with shattered tiles and broken furniture after the Russian strike. (Source: SBU)
A narrow passage inside the building is littered with shattered tiles and broken furniture after the Russian strike. (Source: SBU)
Emergency responders work at the site of a Russian drone strike that hit a private kindergarten in Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi district, severely damaging the building and nearby vehicles. (Source: SBU)
Emergency responders work at the site of a Russian drone strike that hit a private kindergarten in Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi district, severely damaging the building and nearby vehicles. (Source: SBU)
A classroom left in ruins following the strike. Debris and children’s chairs are scattered across the floor. (Source: SBU)
A classroom left in ruins following the strike. Debris and children’s chairs are scattered across the floor. (Source: SBU)
A corridor lined with children’s toys and strollers shows signs of heavy destruction after the attack. (Source: SBU)
A corridor lined with children’s toys and strollers shows signs of heavy destruction after the attack. (Source: SBU)
See all

Help Us Break Through the Algorithm

Your support pushes verified reporting into millions of feeds—cutting through noise, lies, and manipulation. You make truth impossible to ignore.

Join MonthlyGive One Time