Fresh Russian airstrikes on Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 60 others, including children, early Wednesday. The attack escalated as Moscow continued its aggressive military campaign, dismissing calls for an unconditional ceasefire. Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov reported on Telegram that there were 17 drone strikes across two city districts during the night.
Authorities confirmed that a 65-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman lost their lives in the shelling, while the injured included nine children. This surge in violence comes despite international appeals for an end to the conflict, including from US President Donald Trump, who urged Russia to cease its three-year invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to the increased attacks, imploring Kyiv’s Western allies to take decisive measures. In a social media post, Zelensky emphasized the need for “action from America, which has the power to force Russia into peace” and urged Europe to adopt a strong stance.
Last week’s peace negotiations in Turkey failed to produce any meaningful agreements, with Russia firmly rejecting unconditional ceasefire calls and demanding that Ukraine relinquish territory and withdraw its NATO application. However, both parties did agree to return over 1,000 prisoners of war, with a series of soldier swaps taking place recently.
Kharkiv, located less than 50 kilometers from the Russian border, has faced intensified nighttime attacks over the past week. The recent bombardments caused significant damage, including a fire in a five-story building in the Slobidskyi district. Mayor Terekhov described the latest strikes as some of the most severe since the conflict began, referencing a previous attack that killed four people and injured over 50.
Russian forces also targeted the southern port city of Odesa on the same day, damaging summer homes, vehicles, and civilian watercraft, although no injuries were reported in that incident.
In response, Ukraine has increased its drone operations against Russia, focusing on military installations. According to Moscow’s defense ministry, Russian air defenses successfully intercepted 32 Ukrainian drones across five regions. Meanwhile, a drone strike in Belgorod, Russia, caused one fatality and injured four, targeting a convenience store.
Despite ongoing negotiations, Zelensky has expressed skepticism about future talks, describing the current Russian negotiating team as ineffective in reaching a ceasefire agreement. Russia continues to demand territorial concessions and a commitment from Ukraine to forgo NATO membership as prerequisites for halting its aggression, while Ukraine insists on a complete withdrawal of Russian forces and security guarantees from the West.
