A strong Russian missile assault on a newly rebuilt cultural centre in eastern Ukraine injured at least eight people, including a toddler, authorities reported on Friday.
On social media, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia had targeted “the freshly rebuilt House of Culture” in Lozova, Kharkiv’s eastern area. The incident was termed by him as “pure evil” and “total idiocy.”
Oleg Sinegubov, the regional governor of Kharkiv, said eight people were injured, including an 11-year-old girl. All of them had been wounded by shrapnel. Seven people were injured, according to a local health official.
After the missile hit, which also damaged surrounding buildings, fire broke out in the cultural facility, Sinegubov claimed, adding that Russian forces fired three missiles at the 1,000-capacity structure, the region’s main cultural centre.
He added on Telegram, “There is no doubt the occupiers directly targeted (it).”
He said that two rockets had been intercepted and the fire had been put out.
“The occupiers have declared war on culture, education, and mankind. “Missiles and bombs are not spared,” Zelensky posted on Telegram.
In his post, he included a video of a big explosion at the structure, which sent debris flying in all directions and produced dense black smoke clouds. Two passing autos and residential complexes could be spotted nearby.
The situation on the eastern front, according to Defense Minister Oleg Motuzianyk, was tight on Friday and appeared to be worsening.
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Russian forces were firing all along the line of contact, he said, and aiming to shell deep into Ukrainian defensive positions.
Since its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Russia has been accused of repeatedly targeting civilian facilities. Several villages and cities have been damaged by the conflict.
Mariupol, in the south, has been almost completely destroyed. In March, Russian soldiers are suspected of bombing a theatre in the southern port city, killing hundreds of civilians who were sheltering there.
The situation on the eastern front, according to Defense Minister Oleg Motuzianyk, was tight on Friday and appeared to be worsening.
Russian forces were firing all along the line of contact, he said, and aiming to shell deep into Ukrainian defensive positions.
Since its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Russia has been accused of repeatedly targeting civilian facilities. Several villages and cities have been damaged by the conflict.
Mariupol, in the south, has been almost completely destroyed. In March, Russian soldiers are suspected of bombing a theatre in the southern port city, killing hundreds of civilians who were sheltering there
