
In a tragic turn of events, a missile strike on a postal distribution centre in Eastern Ukraine resulted in the loss of six human lives, with an additional 16 individuals sustaining injuries. The attack occurred late Saturday night at the Nova Poshta sorting facility, as confirmed by the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
The aftermath depicted a grim scene of devastation, with images shared by President Zelensky revealing a building exposed to the elements, its windows obliterated by the force of the explosion. Olive Syniehubov, Kharkiv’s regional governor, attested that all victims were employees of the postal company.
At the moment of impact, 22 people were present inside the facility, as a suspected S-300 rocket made contact at approximately 22:30 local time. In the wake of the catastrophe, an investigative team comprising criminologists and forensic experts are undertaking a thorough examination of the mortal remains, as stated by police authorities.
Details released by Governor Syniehubov revealed that the victims’ ages ranged from 19 to 42 years. Many were afflicted with injuries caused by flying shrapnel from the blast. The governor vehemently asserted that the private delivery company situated in the western Kharkiv suburb of Korotych, was indisputably a civilian site, stating, “The Russians have inflicted more terror on Kharkiv’s peaceful population.”
In response to this calamity, President Zelensky announced that a continued rescue operation was in progress. Emergency responders remain hard at work on the ground, tirelessly persevering in their efforts to offer aid in this period of immense turmoil. Russia has yet to officially respond to these allegations, however, they have previously refuted claims of targeting civilians throughout their invasions in Ukraine.
Governor Syniehubov reported that seven individuals are currently hospitalised in “moderate condition”, whereas seven men are battling through more severe trajectories.
Kharkiv, holding the status of being Ukraine’s second-largest city, rests a mere 30 km – roughly 19 miles – from the Russian border. Early in the war in February 2022, the north-eastern city suffered heavy bombardment.
In a resolute move towards resilience, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov revealed this month that the country’s first subterranean school would be constructed within the city, allowing children to carry on their education in a safe, in-person environment.
In parallel, Ukraine has been diligently engaging in a counter-offensive in the southern regions since June. Its ambition lays in severing Russia’s land link to the Crimean peninsula, the landmass Russia unlawfully annexed in 2014. However, the counter-offensive has so far achieved only limited territorial gains, marked by a slow and painstaking process.