Kharkiv Attacked on February 4
In the early hours of February 4, Russian forces launched missile strikes and attacked with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) against the city of Kharkiv. These attacks damaged residential buildings and sparked a fire. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov provided information on the consequences of the attacks and the state of the city's housing stock. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has been a frequent target for Russian attacks since the full-scale invasion began.
According to reports, the Russian occupying army carried out two missile strikes, which hit the nearest suburb of Kharkiv and the Saltivskyi district of the city. A 'Molniya' (Lightning)-type UAV attack also occurred in the Saltivskyi district, where a drone strike damaged a multi-story residential building at the level of the fifth floor. This caused a fire, which spread down to the second floor, potentially damaging the floors in between. Units of the State Emergency Service (SES) are working to extinguish the blaze.
Condition of Kharkiv's Housing Stock
As of today, it is reported that more than 10,000 residential buildings in Kharkiv have been damaged, which is 2,000 more than previously. Approximately half of these damaged buildings are multi-story apartments, with the other half being private homes. Out of these, 4,000 damaged buildings have already been restored.
The city mayor noted that Russian terrorists have repeatedly attacked residential premises with drones, and this is happening against a backdrop of constant attacks on infrastructure.
"Russian attempts to leave the city without light, heat, and water also negatively affect the housing stock and office premises," stated Ihor Terekhov.
He also emphasized that some buildings have already been attacked several times, complicating restoration efforts.
These attacks on Kharkiv reflect the continuation of Russian aggression and its focus on destroying the residential infrastructure of Ukrainian cities. Amid constant bombardment and attacks on civilian objects, restoring damaged buildings is becoming an increasingly difficult task, negatively impacting residents' lives. The city continues to face challenges related to safety and recovery, while local authorities strive to provide the necessary living conditions for people under the difficult circumstances of war.