Child among 12 injured as Russian glide bomb hits Ukraine apartment block

3 October 2024, 10:24

Firefighters at the site of a building damaged by an airstrike
Ukraine Russia War. Picture: PA

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said the latest Kharkiv attack highlighted the urgent need for increased support from Ukraine’s Western allies.

A Russian glide bomb struck a five-story apartment block in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, injuring at least 12 people including a three-year-old girl, local officials said on Thursday.

The bomb hit between the third and fourth floors of the building on Wednesday night, igniting blazes, Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

Firefighters searched for survivors through smoke and rubble.

The city of Kharkiv, located around 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the Russian border, has been a frequent target of aerial attacks throughout the war against Russia that is now deep into its third year.

Rescue workers clear rubble from a building damaged by a Russian airstrike in Kharkiv
Rescue workers clear rubble from a building damaged by a Russian airstrike in Kharkiv (Yevhen Titov/AP)

Glide bombs have become an increasingly common weapon in the war. They have terrorised civilians and bludgeoned the Ukrainian army’s frontline defences.

They were a key weapon in Russia’s capture of the tactically significant town of Vuhledar on Wednesday, as Russian forces wreak destruction on the eastern Donetsk region and force weary Ukrainian troops to withdraw from obliterated towns and villages.

Ukraine has no effective countermeasure for glide bombs, which are launched from Russian aircraft inside Russia.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said the latest Kharkiv attack highlighted the urgent need for increased support from Ukraine’s Western allies.

Mr Zelensky recently held talks with officials in the United States in an effort to ensure further Western military support.

Russia has had the battlefield initiative since late last year, when a Ukrainian counteroffensive petered out. Ukraine is grappling with a critical manpower problem on the front line and is straining to hold back Russia’s grinding assaults.

Though Russia’s battlefield gains have been incremental, its steady forward movement is adding up as the Ukrainians are pushed backward and yield ground.

Both sides have kept up regular cross-border aerial attacks, usually at night.

Ukraine’s air force said on Thursday that 78 out of 105 Shahed drones launched by Russia overnight were destroyed on Thursday as 15 regions of the country came under attack.

The Russian military, meanwhile, intercepted 113 Ukrainian drones overnight, according to a statement by the defence ministry in Moscow. The drones were destroyed over four Russian regions on the border with Ukraine: Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk and Voronezh, it said.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Fighting broke out in Amsterdam on Thursday night

Netanyahu warns Israelis to not attend events in UK over intel about pro-Palestinian attacks

The teenage girl was crashed into by a paraglider in Turkey

More than £20k raised for British teen left fighting for life in Turkey after paraglider crashed into her

Ukraine and Russia have launched their biggest strikes against one another since the war began

Russia and Ukraine launch major drone strikes on each other as the conflict between the two countries intensifies

The teenage girl was crashed into by a paraglider in Turkey

'I thought she was dead': British teen left fighting for life in Turkey after paraglider crashes into her on family holiday

FBI investigating racist 'cotton picking' texts sent anonymously to black citizens across the US

FBI investigating racist 'cotton picking' texts sent anonymously to black citizens across the US

Iran rejects assassination attempt claims after plot against Donald Trump thwarted by FBI

Iran rejects assassination attempt claims after plot against Donald Trump thwarted by FBI

Fighting broke out in Amsterdam on Thursday night

Emergency measures in Amsterdam after Israeli football fans targeted by pro-Palestine 'hit-and-run attacks'

Donald Trump.

Iranian assassination attempt against Donald Trump thwarted by FBI

'Honour of my life to serve as Taoiseach' says Simon Harris as date set for Ireland election.

'Honour of my life to serve as Taoiseach', says Simon Harris as date set for Ireland election

Violence broke out after the match in Amsterdam

Israeli football fans targeted by pro-Palestine 'hit-and-run attacks' as 62 arrested, Amsterdam mayor says

Dozens of cars were washed away as new flash flooding hit a town in Spain

Scenes of destruction as new flash floods hit Spanish town - washing away dozens of cars

Violence broke out after the match in Amsterdam

Israel sends planes to Amsterdam to 'rescue' football fans as Dutch PM condemns 'anti-Semitic attacks'

Ian Botham was saved from the crocodile by his former rival Merv Hughes

Ian Botham saved from crocodiles by former Australian cricket rival after falling into remote river

The 'disgusting' balls shut down beaches in Sydney

Revealed: Mysterious origin of 'disgusting' black balls that washed up on Sydney beaches

The YouTuber died after crashing his BMW in New York

YouTuber 1Stockf30 dies aged 25 after crashing BMW in New York street race

Exclusive
Dame Karen Pierce won't have her term in the United States extended, LBC understands.

Britain's ambassador to the US won't have her term extended in wake of historic Donald Trump election victory