Feb 26 β€’ 18:41 UTC 🌍 Africa Africanews

Russian overnight attacks pound Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, dozens hurt

Renewed Russian missile and drone attacks on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia have injured many civilians and damaged numerous residential and commercial buildings.

In the latest wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine, cities Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia have suffered significant harm due to drone and missile strikes overnight. In Kharkiv, at least 14 individuals were reported injured, including a young child, as residential areas faced direct hits. The barrage caused substantial damage to local infrastructure and apartment blocks, prompting emergency services to engage in firefighting efforts and rescue operations for trapped residents. The ongoing threat emphasizes the continued vulnerability of civilians amid the conflict.

Slightly further south, Zaporizhzhia also faced a barrage from Russian forces, with at least nine people wounded in the latest assault. The strikes resulted in damage to 19 apartment buildings, several private homes, and two shopping centers. This significant destruction underscores the ongoing strategies employed by Russian forces to target civilian areas, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. The hit on infrastructure also led to the temporary loss of heating for around 500 homes.

Despite Ukrainian air defenses reportedly intercepting some of the incoming threats, the scope of the damage indicates a persistent effectiveness in the assault strategies utilized by Russian forces. Authorities noted that there was no significant radiation increase or damage reported at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has been a longstanding concern due to its proximity to military operations. This incident highlights the ongoing conflict's impact on civilian populations and emphasizes the dangers they face amidst continuing warfare.

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