Russia carried out a large-scale air attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight and into Saturday evening, killing at least four people and injuring more than 60 others, including a baby, according to local officials.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the city is enduring “the most powerful attack since the start of the full-scale war.” The city, just a few dozen kilometers from the Russian border, was targeted by waves of drones, missiles, and guided bombs.

Explosions were heard throughout the night as Russian forces struck residential buildings, schools, and infrastructure. Photos from the scene showed charred buildings, destroyed vehicles, and emergency workers pulling people from the rubble.

One industrial site in the city was hit by 40 drones, a missile, and four bombs, triggering a large fire. Kharkiv governor Oleh Syniehubov warned that people may still be trapped under debris.

The attacks continued into the evening, with Russian aircraft dropping more guided bombs in broad daylight. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strikes “another brutal murder” and said Kharkiv had been under fire the entire day.

According to Ukraine’s military, Russia launched 206 drones overnight, along with two ballistic and seven other missiles. Air defense units shot down 87 drones, while others were redirected or found to be decoys. Ten different locations across Ukraine were hit in the overnight assault.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned a series of Russian strikes on Kharkiv as “brutal acts of destruction,” warning that Moscow is preparing to prolong its war while ignoring all peace proposals.

Speaking Saturday, Zelenskyy said Russian forces bombed the northeastern city “in the middle of the day,” following a separate overnight drone attack. “Kharkiv has been under almost 24 hours of constant strikes — first drones, now aerial bombs,” he said.

Rescue efforts continued throughout the day as emergency workers treated dozens of wounded civilians. “This was a brutal strike on the city,” Zelenskyy said, offering condolences to families of the victims. “Tragically, there are fatalities.”

He dismissed any suggestions that the strikes could be considered retaliation by Russia. “These are not ‘retaliation’ strikes,” he said. “This is the complete destruction of life — that is what they want.”

Zelenskyy accused Moscow of targeting Ukraine’s infrastructure and looting occupied territories. “In over eleven years of war, the only consistent legacy Russia has left behind is ruins and death.”

He called for the international community to maintain and expand pressure on Russia, warning that “no form of pressure can be eased” as the Kremlin shows no intention of engaging in good faith negotiations.

Copied