Escalating Violence: Kharkiv Suffers Deadly Overnight Drone Attacks as Casualties Rise

Fresh Russian drone assaults on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left at least 60 others injured early on Wednesday, including several children, according to Ukrainian authorities.

In recent weeks, Russia has executed unprecedented levels of drone and missile attacks against Ukraine, escalating over three years of continual bombardment while insisting on conditions that Kyiv has labeled “ultimatums.”

Located merely 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Russian border, Kharkiv has endured significant suffering due to Moscow’s recent escalation.

“Seventeen drone attacks occurred in two districts of the city last night,” Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov stated via Telegram.

Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed that these strikes led to three fatalities.

Journalists from AFP on the scene reported damaged residential buildings, burned vehicles, and streets littered with debris following the overnight bombardments.

Olena Khoruzheva, a 41-year-old pharmacist, recounted that she rushed into the hallway with her two children upon hearing the drones approach.

“The younger one lay on the floor, covering his head with his hands. I was shielding him,” she recounted to AFP. “We heard the drone getting closer. There was silence, and then we were slammed against the wall… followed by more explosions, and then we heard people crying out for ‘Help! Help!’”

A 65-year-old neighbor of hers was among those who lost their lives in the attack.

An AFP reporter observed emergency personnel retrieving the body of a resident from a damaged apartment complex, placing it into a black body bag early Wednesday.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 85 drones during the night, a figure slightly lower than in previous days.

These attacks occur while U.S. President Donald Trump is encouraging both sides to negotiate a peace agreement.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Western nations to enhance pressure on Russia through robust economic sanctions, which he asserts would diminish its ability to continue waging war.