Russian drone attack wounds dozens in Ukraine’s Kharkiv
Hanna Arhirova |
A Russian drone strike on Ukraine’s second-largest city has wounded 47 people, officials say.
Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said drones hit 12 locations in the city late on Friday.
Residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and vehicles were damaged in the assault, according to Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.
Following the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged stronger, more decisive support from the country’s allies.
“While the world hesitates with decisions, nearly every night in Ukraine turns into a nightmare, costing lives. Ukraine needs strengthened air defence. Strong and real decisions are needed from our partners – the United States, Europe, all our partners who seek peace,” he wrote on X in the early hours of Saturday.
The Ukrainian Air Force said that Russia fired 183 exploding drones and decoys overnight.
Of those, 77 were intercepted by Ukrainian defences while a further 73 were lost, likely having been electronically jammed.
The Air Force also reported that Russia launched two ballistic missiles.
Meanwhile, Russia’s defence ministry claimed that its air defences shot down 170 Ukrainian drones overnight.
The ministry said eight cruise missiles and three guided missiles were also intercepted.
In southern Russia, four people were injured in a drone strike on the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk overnight, according to Krasnodar region governor Veniamin Kondratyev.
The latest wave of attacks comes after the US and Ukraine on Wednesday signed an agreement granting American access to Ukraine’s vast mineral resources, finalising a deal that could enable continued military aid to Kyiv amid concerns President Donald Trump might scale back support during peace negotiations with Russia.
Speaking to journalists in Kyiv on Friday, Zelenskiy said Ukraine was prepared to pursue a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States.
He said the ceasefire could start on any date and last for a full month, offering time for meaningful steps toward ending the war.
“Let’s be honest – you can’t agree on anything serious in three, five, or seven days,” he said.
Zelenskiy said Moscow’s announcement of a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire next week in Ukraine to mark Victory Day in World War II was merely an attempt to create a “soft atmosphere” before Russia’s annual celebrations.
“It looks unserious,” he said. “So that Putin’s guests on Red Square feel comfortable and safe.”
The Ukrainian leader reiterated that Kyiv’s military actions will remain “mirror-like”, responding to Russia’s moves.
He acknowledged that implementing a complete frontline ceasefire without robust international monitoring remains nearly impossible but emphasised that the 30-day window offers a credible start.
He confirmed ongoing efforts to convene a meeting of international advisers, meaning the next round of the negotiations with the US.
He also expressed hope that it could happen in Ukraine, saying it was a “positive sign” that such a gathering is under discussion despite recent personnel changes in Washington.
AP
