The attack occurred at 1:15 pm local time in the village of Hroza, located in the Kupiansky district of Kharkiv province. Zelenskiy expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized the deliberate nature of this “brutal Russian crime.”
In a tragic incident, a Russian missile struck a rural cafe in Ukraine, resulting in the loss of at least 51 lives, including that of a six-year-old child. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has strongly condemned this act, labeling it as “genocidal aggression” by Russia.
Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, confirmed the death toll of 51 and mentioned that debris analysis is still underway. The cafe, where the missile struck, was entirely destroyed.
Preliminary findings suggest that the Russians used an Iskander ballistic missile in the attack. Around 60 people were present at the cafe, gathered for a memorial lunch in honor of a recently deceased villager. This devastating incident has had a profound impact on the village of Hroza, where about one in 10 residents lost their lives.
Kharkiv province has experienced continuous bombardment since Russia’s full-scale invasion last year, making this incident the deadliest in the region. Zelenskiy stressed the need to stop Russian terror and called for international support to counter such acts of aggression.
Furthermore, Ukraine is in discussions with European leaders to enhance its air defenses, according to Zelenskiy. The Ukrainian President, attending an international conference in Spain, expressed determination to respond forcefully to the terrorists responsible for this attack.
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Senior Ukrainian officials, including Mykhailo Podolyak and Rustem Umerov, condemned the attack, with Umerov emphasizing the cruelty and deliberation behind it.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin escalated nuclear rhetoric, announcing successful tests of nuclear-powered cruise missiles and progress on intercontinental ballistic missile systems. Putin’s speech at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi contained criticisms of Western influence on the world.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.