Russian Drones and Missiles Strike Kharkiv, Ukraine, Resulting in Three Fatalities, Officials Report

On Saturday, Ukraine’s eastern city of Kharkiv was struck by a significant Russian drone and missile attack, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals and injuries to 21 others, according to local Ukrainian officials. This latest assault, part of a troubling trend of near-daily Russian attacks, included the use of deadly aerial glide bombs, which have become a hallmark of Moscow’s military campaign during the ongoing three-year war. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that the attack caused considerable damage, affecting 18 apartment buildings and 13 private homes.

Preliminary data indicated that the Russian forces deployed 48 Shahed drones, two missiles, and four aerial glide bombs in this offensive. The recent surge in Russian attacks has further diminished any hopes of reaching a peace agreement between the conflicting parties, especially following Kyiv’s bold drone strike on Russian military airfields deep within its territory. This incident appeared to embarrass the Kremlin and raised tensions significantly.

U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, had warned him that Moscow would respond to Ukraine’s aggressive actions. On the preceding Friday, Russian strikes targeted six Ukrainian regions, leading to at least six fatalities and around 80 injuries. Among those killed were three emergency responders in Kyiv, along with casualties in Lutsk and Chernihiv.

In a notable shift, Trump suggested that it may be better for Ukraine and Russia to continue fighting before any peace negotiations are pursued. This stance contrasts sharply with his previous calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and may indicate a retreat from recent diplomatic efforts.