Russia strikes Ukraine’s second-biggest city, killing seven

Russian missiles has hit Ukraine’s second-biggest city in the northeast and killed at least seven civilians on Thursday morning. The army in Kyiv is trying hard to defend against a strong attack from Russia’s well-prepared forces.

At least 16 people were hurt when S-300 missiles hit Kharkiv city, according to the regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. 15 big booms echoed through the city of about 1 million people.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack was very cruel. He is frustrated that the country’s Western partners have not given them enough air defense systems to stop the attacks after more than two years of war.

Kharkiv is the main city in the Kharkiv region and is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from the Russian border. Recently, the soldiers from Moscow have taken control of villages in the region as part of a big effort. Some experts think they may be trying to get close enough to the city to use artillery.

In Ukraine, there is a big battle going on with Russia. Ukrainian forces are outnumbered and outgunned along a 1,000-kilometer front line.

Ukraine doesn’t have enough air defenses and is waiting for help from Western countries. Russia has been attacking Ukraine’s power grid and civilian areas, causing the Ukrainian army to lose ground in some areas. Kyiv had more power cuts on Thursday.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the attacks showed that Ukraine really needs more US-made Patriot systems to protect its airspace right away. Germany promised to provide one missile system, but it’s important to get six more quickly for Ukraine’s safety and for peace in Europe. Kuleba wrote this on the social media platform X.

Zelenskyy said that there has been a lot of fighting in Kharkiv and the nearby Donetsk region. In February, Ukraine’s defenders left Avdiivka, which was an important place for them. The Kremlin really wants to take over all of Donetsk, even the parts that are currently under someone else’s control.

At the same time, Russian soldiers have entered the northern Sumy region of Ukraine, possibly to spread out Ukraine’s tired army.

About 1,500 people, including 200 children, have been taken out of Bilopillia and Vorozhba towns because of an emergency, as told by the governor of the area. Volodymyr Artiukh Simple: Volodymyr Artiukh.

Zelenskyy said the fighting is mainly happening at the whole border area.

In Liubotyn, a small town near Kharkiv city, Russian missiles hit the town’s center and hurt eight people.

Russia’s defense ministry announced on Thursday that their forces have gained control of the Donetsk settlement of Andriivka. This area had been held by Ukrainian forces since heavy fighting in September, which left the village destroyed.

In Donetsk, Russian troops said they are making progress near Chasiv Yar, Konstantinovka, and Rozdolivka.

We could not confirm the claims on our own. Recent progress made by Russia has been small and gradual.

Ukraine is looking at Russian areas near its border. Russia’s defense ministry said on Thursday that they have shot down 35 Ukrainian rockets and three drones over the Belgorod region. The leader of the local government, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said that a drone was shot down and exploded, killing a woman inside a house.