Key points
- Attacks came hours after Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia
- Russia struck 12 locations in four central districts of Kharkiv
- Kharkiv lies close to the Russian border
ISLAMABAD: Russian drone strikes on Ukraine’s second city of Kharkiv wounded about 50 people late Friday, officials said.
According to AFP, the attacks came hours after Russian strikes on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia wounded more than 20 people.
Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas have killed dozens of people in recent weeks despite the United States talking with both sides in a bid to end Moscow’s three-year invasion.
According to Aljazeera, Kharkiv’s Mayor Ihor Terekhov said there had been Russian strikes on 12 locations in four central districts of the city.
Russia is bombing Kharkiv with drones again—right now.
No progress on the battlefield, so Putin returns to what he knows: bombing civilians.
Since March, attacks on Kharkiv have kept growing.
The freer he feels, the higher the civilian cost. pic.twitter.com/Tf4yumnHlc— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) May 2, 2025
A security expert, Maria Avdeeva, in a social media post, stated: “Russia is bombing Kharkiv with drones again—right now. No progress on the battlefield, so Putin returns to what he knows: bombing civilians. Since March, attacks on Kharkiv have kept growing. The freer he feels, the higher the civilian cost.”
“Nearly 50 people have been wounded because of the massive attack by the invader” on four districts, Kharkiv governor Oleg Synegubov wrote on Telegram. He said the injured included an 11-year-old girl.
“Fires have broken out. Residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and cars have been damaged” in the drone strikes, he added, according to AFP.
Kharkiv lies close to the Russian border and has been relentlessly attacked throughout Moscow’s invasion.
Landmark deal
The attacks come after Kyiv and Washington signed a landmark deal for the extraction of minerals in Ukraine.
Russia has announced a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine next week that coincides with World War II celebrations in Moscow.
Kyiv has denounced it as a “manipulation” that is “just for a parade” that the Kremlin holds on Red Square every year, according to AFP.
