On October 30, 2024, a Russian strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, tragically resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, including a 12-year-old child. This strike, reportedly involving a 500-kilogram guided bomb, caused extensive damage to a multi-story residential building, leaving around 36 people injured, according to local authorities.
Rescue teams, supported by Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, immediately began efforts to clear the debris and rescue survivors. Among the casualties, the young child was initially rescued from under the rubble with severe injuries, including head trauma and fractures. Despite extensive resuscitation efforts by medical professionals lasting over half an hour, the child could not be saved, as confirmed by Oleh Syniehubov, the regional governor.
Emergency operations continued into Thursday as workers assisted residents and searched for those who might still be trapped beneath the ruins of the destroyed building. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine released footage documenting the extensive damage to the building’s entrance and surrounding areas, providing a glimpse into the severity of the destruction.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, reiterating calls for the U.S. to provide Kyiv with long-range missiles that could be used to target Russian air bases further from the front lines. In a post on social media platform X, Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency, stating that any delay in support allowed more bombs to rain down on Ukraine, costing lives and contributing to ongoing devastation. He called for a united front to stop Russia, utilizing all available means.
The use of glide bombs, which Russia has increasingly deployed, has allowed for precise attacks on locations far from the front lines, intensifying the threat to Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv. Located just 30 kilometers from the Russian border, Kharkiv has endured numerous strikes since the conflict began nearly three years ago, with repeated attacks resulting in both loss of life and widespread damage.
In another strike on October 31, Russia reportedly launched ten missiles at the Dnistro Estuary bridge in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, which connects the northern and southern areas. Ukrainian air forces stated that they intercepted two of these missiles. Additionally, 43 explosive drones were launched by Russian forces across nine Ukrainian regions; 17 were intercepted, 23 were jammed, and three drones returned to Russian-controlled areas.
In response, Ukraine conducted drone attacks on Russian-controlled regions. Reports from Berdyansk, a city on the Sea of Azov under Russian occupation, indicated that Ukrainian drones targeted the port area early Thursday, causing injuries to three individuals. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that air defenses intercepted approximately 21 Ukrainian drones over several regions and the Black Sea, though these claims could not be independently confirmed.
The increased exchange of strikes and counterattacks reflects the ongoing intensity and evolving nature of the conflict, as both sides employ advanced technologies to extend their reach and impact.
