Kharkiv, Ukraine – Following a deadly Russian strike on a large store in the city over the weekend, a total of eighteen people, including a 12-year-old girl, tragically lost their lives in the devastating attack. Authorities in the Kharkiv region confirmed the incident as the deadliest assault Ukraine has faced in recent weeks.
The head of the Kharkiv region military administration, Oleh Syniehubov, revealed on Monday that five individuals remain missing, while 48 others were injured in the strike that targeted the Epicenter hypermarket shopping center building. The strike occurred while nearly 200 people were inside the establishment during the time of the attack.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city located near the border with Russia, has experienced a series of Russian attacks in the past few weeks. Security camera footage captured the moment of impact, showing the building shaking violently before being engulfed in thick smoke and flames following at least two explosions at the site, according to police and witnesses.
In the aftermath of the strike, the director of the Epicenter shopping center, Oleksandr Lutsenko, shared the harrowing experience of trying to evacuate the premises amidst chaos and destruction. One eyewitness described the scene as employees and customers groped their way through the darkness and dust, with some resorting to jumping out of windows to escape the raging fire within.
As the city mourns the loss of lives and assesses the damage caused by the strike, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as a brutal assault by Russia. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to bolster Ukraine’s defenses, with Spain announcing a significant weapons deal worth $1.08 billion aimed at enhancing air defense systems and safeguarding citizens and infrastructure from further Russian aggression.
The international community has responded to the escalating crisis, with the United States pledging $275 million in military assistance to support Ukraine in repelling Russia’s advances and maintaining stability in the northeastern region. Amidst these developments, discussions have emerged regarding the potential deployment of foreign military trainers to Ukraine, signaling a coordinated effort to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities against external threats.