A Russian missile strike hit a large hardware store in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Saturday, resulting in two fatalities and 33 injuries.
This devastating attack has intensified calls for better air defense systems in Ukraine.
Tragic Loss in Kharkiv
The governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Synegubov, confirmed the casualties, stating,
"Two men who were working in the hardware store were killed. Thirty-three others are injured."
The attack has left the community in shock and mourning.
Military Justifications and Controversy
According to the Russian news agency Tass, Russian military sources claimed that the hardware store had been converted by the Ukrainian army into a command post and storage facility for military equipment.
"Our intelligence identified the location, which led to the missile strike that destroyed the market," a source reported.
Zelenskyy's Outcry and Appeals
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to Telegram to express his outrage, emphasizing the civilian nature of the target.
"Over 200 people were inside the market at the time of the attack," he stated, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the bombing.
In his message, Zelenskyy condemned the attack as "heinous" and reiterated his plea for Western allies to provide advanced air defense systems.
"Only madmen like Putin can kill and terrorize people in such a horrific manner," he wrote.
Witnesses in Kharkiv shared harrowing videos on social media showing thick black smoke billowing from the Episentr hardware store, located in a residential area.
The local fire department reported that a 10,000 square meter area had caught fire due to the attack.
