KHARKIV, UKRAINE – A deadly attack struck a large hardware store in Kharkiv, Ukraine, amid an ongoing Russian advance in northern Ukraine. The strike resulted in at least two fatalities and 33 injuries, with 11 individuals still missing, according to authorities. The incident occurred with nearly 200 people inside the building at the time of the attack.

Officials reported that despite an air raid siren warning, only about 100 people managed to evacuate the premises before the strike hit. Emergency services are currently on-site providing assistance to the injured. The head of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the casualties included employees of the hypermarket.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as a “brutal act” and emphasized the urgent need for enhanced air defense capabilities to prevent such tragedies in the future. The strike, which engulfed the 10,000 square meter building in flames, has further escalated tensions in the region, as Russian forces continue their advance in the Kharkiv area.

In a retaliatory move, at least two individuals were killed and 10 others injured following a Ukrainian strike on a Russian village in the Belgorod region. The governor of the region reported significant damage to residential buildings and vehicles, with all victims sustaining shrapnel wounds from the attack.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in continued violence and destruction, prompting urgent appeals for international support and intervention. The repercussions of these attacks extend beyond the immediate casualties, affecting communities on both sides of the conflict. This developing situation underscores the need for diplomatic solutions and humanitarian aid to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.