Ukrainian officials stated that on Monday (January 26th), Russia launched drone and missile strikes against Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine, causing severe damage to local infrastructure and plunging approximately 80% of the city and surrounding areas into darkness due to power outages. Several residential apartment buildings, a school, and a kindergarten were damaged in the attacks, resulting in at least two injuries.
Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov posted on the social platform Telegram, highlighting the serious destruction of local infrastructure. Repair crews are putting all efforts into restoration work, but the ongoing threat of airstrikes poses challenges to the progress of repairs.
He emphasized that energy facilities have also become targets of attack. Currently, around 80% of the areas in Kharkiv city and Kharkiv region are without electricity.
Mayor of Kharkiv Ihor Terekhov, in messages released on January 27th local time, revealed that the city had come under enemy attacks launched from the air, including drone and missile strikes. One of the targets was the Industrialnyi District.
According to the latest reports, multiple residential buildings in the industrial district were destroyed, a school building was directly hit, and a kindergarten was also damaged in the attack. As of now, at least two injured individuals have been reported, while the extent of casualties and property damage is still being assessed.
Numerous unofficial Telegram channels later shared photos showing Kharkiv, situated about 30 kilometers from the Russian border and a long-standing target of Russian military strikes, engulfed in darkness with severe internal structural damages to some buildings.
Previously, the Kharkiv city government and local media reported that on the night of January 24th to the early hours of January 25th, Russian forces utilized multiple Iranian-made “Shahed” drones in a relentless two and a half-hour airstrike on Kharkiv. The attack resulted in at least 30 injuries, including children.
Official sources indicated that multiple apartment buildings, residential homes, and dormitories were hit, some medical and commercial facilities were damaged, and energy infrastructure was also destroyed. The situation is still under further verification.
In addition to Kharkiv, the town of Kryvyi Rih to the southeast, the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, also faced Russian drone attacks.
The head of the local military administration, Oleksandr Vilkul, mentioned that a high-rise residential building was struck, leading to a fire. However, residents were safely evacuated, and no casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, the capital city of Kyiv has witnessed three large-scale airstrikes since the New Year, with hundreds of buildings temporarily losing power and heating, underscoring the escalating pressure of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the lives of Ukrainians and the energy system.
(This article referenced reporting from Reuters)