Russia bombed a hardware superstore in Kharkiv, Ukraine, killing at least six people and injuring 40 others, in the latest attack in a sustained bombing campaign against the city. Sixteen people were still missing, suggesting the death toll could rise. Another airstrike injured at least 14 people in the center of Kharkiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky called for Western allies to provide air defense systems to shoot down Russian missiles and planes launching bombs to prevent such attacks. Videos and photos online showed large plumes of black smoke from the superstore as firefighters fought to extinguish the blaze.
Kharkiv, a city of 1.3 million people located near the Russian border, has been increasingly targeted by Russian airstrikes in recent months to intimidate residents and create panic. The attack came just days after missiles hit a book printing factory, destroying 50,000 books and killing seven people. The assault on the printing plant was seen as an effort by Russia to erase Ukrainian culture. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack as unacceptable. The hardware store was hit with powerful aerial bombs known as glide bombs that can deliver hundreds of pounds of explosives and smash through multistory buildings, leaving residents helpless.
Russia has used glide bombs to destroy Ukrainian positions and support troop advancements, with the tactic being successful in capturing cities like Avdiivka. Moscow began targeting Kharkiv with the bombs in March, making it difficult for air defense systems to shoot them down and leaving civilians vulnerable. Ukrainian officials have called for shooting down the planes that launch the missiles, but the bombs can fly for many miles, making it challenging to prevent attacks from launching in Russia and evading Ukrainian antiaircraft systems. Ukrainian President Zelensky has urged Western allies to lift their ban on firing missiles into Russia and send more F-16 jets, which can target faraway threats.
Zelensky highlighted the advantage Russia has with its daily use of bombs in Kharkiv, resulting in numerous deaths and significant destruction. He emphasized the need for suitable weapons to counter the Russian arsenal and the importance of having the quantity needed to defend against such attacks. However, Ukraine does not have both the necessary weapons and permission to effectively combat Russian airstrikes. Zelensky has urged for increased assistance from Western allies to provide Ukraine with the means to defend against Russian aggression and protect the lives of civilians in cities like Kharkiv. The ongoing bombing campaign has raised concerns about the safety and security of residents in Ukraine as they face relentless attacks from Russian forces.
