Russian Missile Attack in Kharkiv Mall Kills 12, Ukrainian Officials Seek International Assistance
Ukrainian rescuers have been combing through the debris of a Kharkiv shopping center after it was hit by a Russian missile attack, leading to the deaths of 12 individuals. The tragic incident occurred on May 25, with nearly 40 people sustaining injuries in the strike on the Epicentr hardware supply store. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed the rising death toll and expressed dismay at the act of terrorism that claimed innocent lives. The attack, which Ukraine has condemned as an act of terrorism, left 16 people still unaccounted for as of now. Governor Oleh Synyehubov and Ukrainian officials revealed that the store was targeted with two Russian glide bombs, each carrying a devastating payload of explosives. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy highlighted the severity of the attack, noting that over 200 individuals may have been inside the hypermarket during the assault. The situation in Kharkiv has escalated in recent weeks as Russia has intensified its missile and rocket assaults, pushing Ukrainian forces to their limits. International assistance and support have been urgently requested by Ukrainian officials, with appeals to Western allies for enhanced air defense weapons and armaments to bolster their defenses. Ukrainian calls for using US-supplied weaponry more aggressively and even extending strikes into Russian territory have raised concerns over the escalation of conflict. Amid the ongoing hostilities, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has advocated for Ukraine's use of Western-supplied arms in targeting military assets within Russia. As Ukraine continues to endure relentless attacks, the need for international solidarity and assistance remains paramount in the face of escalating tensions and humanitarian crises.
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