KYIV (Reuters) – At least 10 people were injured on Friday by Russian rocket fire in the center of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, local officials said in an attack Kyiv described as an “act of revenge” in the face of the advance of Ukrainian forces in the region.
The strikes hit a children’s arts center and a school, as well as housing, injuring at least ten people, including three children, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov wrote on Telegram
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff of Volodimir Zelensky, said Russia was taking revenge for the success of the Ukrainian armed forces. He appeared to be referring to a recent counterattack in areas neighboring Kharkhiv which Ukraine says has led to the recapture of some 20 localities.
Reuters could not immediately verify this information. Russia denies targeting civilians.
A pro-Russian local official in a Russian-controlled part of the Kharkiv region, Vitali Gantchev, also spoke of a success for Ukrainian forces when he told Russian television on Friday that they had recorded a “substantial victory” by breaking through the Russian defenses in the area.
The Russian Defense Ministry released video footage of what it said were Russian troops sent to the Kharkiv region.
The Kremlin declined to comment on reports of a Ukrainian advance in the Kharkiv region, referring questions to the Russian Defense Ministry.
(Reportage Max Hunder and Reuters; French version Valentine Baldassari, edited by Sophie Louet)
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