Ukraine observes day of mourning in Kharkiv after Russian strike leaves six dead

Ukraine’s city of Kharkiv has declared a day of mourning on Saturday after a Russian bomb attack left at least six civilians dead, media reports said.

The deceased reportedly included a child who was playing on a playground.

At least 97 people were injured, including 24 children, when Moscow struck the city with five guided aerial bombs, according to Ukrainian authorities as quoted by CNN.

This was one of the deadliest Russian strikes on Ukraine in the ongoing summer season.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said one of the deceased was 14-year-old Sofia.

She was reportedly playing on the playground when a Russian bomb hit it.

“Tragically, there are fatalities, including a child—a girl named Sofia, who would have turned 15 this fall. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. Many others are injured. Aid is being provided to all those affected, and rescuers are doing everything they can to save as many lives as possible. I am grateful to everyone involved in the rescue efforts and to all those who are supporting Kharkiv and its residents,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X.

He described the Russian strike as ‘cowardly’.

Targeting Russia, he said: “This is the same evil Russia unleashed in Syria, in Georgia, and now in Ukraine. Their tactics of terror are the same everywhere, and it’s time to put an end to it. This can be achieved through our Ukrainian long-range capabilities, robust support for our Defense Forces, and enhanced air defense systems for Ukraine.”

Thirty months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, human suffering continues to worsen amid alarming reports of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including nuclear facilities, a senior UN political affairs official told the Security Council on Wednesday.

Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General at the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, said that last month was particularly deadly for Ukrainian civilians, with at least 219 killed and more than 1,000 injured.

Since 24 February 2022 – the date of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, has documented 11,662 civilian killings and 24,207 injuries. The actual figure could be higher.

“Tragically, these figures only grow, as missiles, shells and drones continue to hit cities, towns and villages across Ukraine daily,” Jenča said.

Jenča also highlighted the severe impact of the humanitarian crisis, particularly on women, who comprise 56 percent of the 15 million people in need of assistance in Ukraine.

“In frontline areas, particularly in the east and south of Ukraine, entire villages and towns have been either partially or completely devastated,” he said, adding, “humanitarian operations in some areas lack access to people in need.”

This year the UN and humanitarian partners aim to reach 8.5 million people with lifesaving assistance, including through the winter.

However, the response remains constrained, with only 41 percent of the $3.1 billion needed under the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan received so far.