Missile Attack in Kharkiv Claims Lives of Two, Including Child

Devastating Attack on Kharkiv

Two individuals, including a three-year-old child, have been killed, and approximately 28 others injured following a Russian missile strike on the city of Kharkiv, according to Ukrainian authorities. A multi-story apartment building was nearly completely destroyed in the Friday afternoon attack, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described as "diabolical."

The Russian Ministry of Defense denied reports of the attack, suggesting instead that the explosion was caused by Ukrainian ammunition detonating. This strike comes ahead of crucial discussions regarding a peace plan mediated by the U.S., scheduled to take place in Kyiv on Saturday. Zelensky stated that around 15 countries are expected to participate, alongside representatives from the EU and NATO, with a U.S. delegation joining the meeting via video link.

Officials in Kharkiv reported that the bodies of a woman and her three-year-old child were discovered among the rubble, with preliminary information suggesting they were mother and son. "Unfortunately, this is how the Russians treat people—they continue to kill, despite all the efforts of the world, particularly the United States, in the diplomatic process," Zelensky wrote on the platform X.

Among the 28 injured, including a six-month-old baby, 16 have been hospitalized. A search and rescue operation is currently underway, with over 80 volunteers actively working at the scene, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.

The Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement on Telegram claiming that its armed forces "did not plan or launch attacks using missiles or aircraft within the city of Kharkiv," adding that pre-attack images show "dense smoke of unknown origin," which they used as evidence of Ukrainian military's ammunition detonation.

Additionally, the ministry alleged that these reports aim to divert attention from a New Year's attack on a hotel in an area of Ukraine controlled by Russia. Russia has accused Ukraine of killing at least 27 people and injuring over 30 others during a drone attack on a New Year's celebration in the village of Khorly, located along the Black Sea coast. BBC has been unable to independently verify these claims or the casualty numbers.