Russian forces dropped two glide bombs on Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv on Saturday, which hit the Epitsentr construction hypermarket during it’s busiest time. According to the Ukrainian authorities, there could have been as many as 200 people inside the building when the bombs struck it. Immediately after the impact, a fire broke out in the shopping centre, which engulfed the entire shopping complex. Nineteen people have now been confirmed dead, and another 54 injured. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, the Russian military struck the city again, this time targeting a residential area in the centre of Kharkiv and injuring 14.
The Russians used UMPB D-30 glide bombs to target the DIY hypermarket, according to preliminary data provided by the Kharkiv Region’s Prosecutor’s Office, Ukrainian national broadcaster Suspilne reported.
“This attack on Kharkiv is another manifestation of Russian madness, there is just no other way to put it,” Zelensky said, adding that: “Only such madmen as Putin are capable of killing and terrorising people in such a vile way.”
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, who also reported a second Russian airstrike on the city centre shortly afterwards, called the strike “pure terrorism”.
People carry the body of a man killed in the Kharkiv hypermarket attack. Photo: Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA
Firefighters attempting to bring the blaze under control. Photo: Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA.
The body of one of the victims of the Epitsentr glide bomb attack, 25 May 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE / SERGEY KOZLOV
Firefighters attempting to bring the blaze under control. Photo: Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA.
A crowd of people gathers outside the Epitsentr hypermarket in the aftermath of the glide bomb attack, 25 May 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE / SERGEY KOZLOV
Ukrainian rescuers works fight the fire that engulfed the Epitsentr hypermarket, 25 May 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE / SERGEY KOZLOV
A police officer registers the death of a man in the the hypermarket car park. Photo: Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA
Survivors of the hypermarket attack run for cover as a second air raid warning goes off, 25 May 2024. Photo: Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA
An office building in central Kharkiv damaged by the Russian airstrike, 25 May 2024. Photo: Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA
Firefighters continue to fight the blaze at the Epitsentr hypermarket as the sun goes down, May 25, 2024. Photo: Oleksandr Ratushniak / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA
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