A 14-year-old girl has died following a Russian attack in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, targeting a playground. According to BBC, at least five other people were killed and dozens were injured when the attacks also struck an apartment block near the border with Russia. Images from the scene showed flames and thick black smoke rising from the top of the building as firefighters helped people escape. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his calls for Ukraine’s international allies to allow him to strike targets within Russia to prevent such attacks. The strikes came just hours before Zelensky dismissed his Air Force chief, Lieutenant General Mykola Olestyuk.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, is about 35 kilometers from the Russian border and has been a frequent target of attacks since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022. Regional Governor Oleg Sinegubov said via Telegram that at least 59 people were injured, with 20 in serious condition and some requiring amputations. Nine children were also injured in the attacks.
