Russian kamikaze drones strike Kharkiv again: casualties, destruction, and a massive nightmare
The night of June 11 became a witness to yet another escalation in Kharkiv — the city was once again targeted by large-scale missile attacks by Russian forces. According to city officials, around midnight, 17 attack drones of the "Shahed" type were dropped on the regional center, resulting in significant destruction and human casualties. This is not the first such attack on Kharkiv, which remains one of the most intense hotspots on the Ukrainian defense map to this day. As Kharkiv's Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported, the attack began at 00:31 and lasted for about ten minutes, until around 00:40. He stated that the Russians directed nearly a dozen kamikaze drones towards the very center of the city, each capable of destroying targets with a direct hit. The main strikes hit the Slobidskyi and Osnovianskyi districts — areas vital for the city's infrastructure but also quite vulnerable to such attacks. According to Terekhov, residents of multi-story buildings, private homes, playgrounds, as well as transportation infrastructure and enterprises, felt the impact of direct hits. As a result, large fires broke out in residential neighborhoods: roofs burned away, windows shattered by the blast wave, vehicles damaged, and partial destruction occurred in gardens and courtyards. Public transportation, including trolleys, and the power supply network suffered serious damage, complicating the lives of city residents. Tragically, it was reported that two people died, and 37 others sustained injuries of varying severity. Currently, a 2-year-old child and a 15-year-old teenager are hospitalized in Kharkiv. Several residents trapped in blazing apartments were rescued and are receiving necessary aid; some of the wounded have already been hospitalized. The situation was particularly severe in the Slobidskyi district, where enemy drones hit the city's trolleybus depot. Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Head Oleg Synegubov reported that nine residents of the district were injured and hospitalized — including, as noted, two children. The large number of casualties underscores both the scale of the strike and the serious risk posed to civilians. Another alarming piece of news is that the attack resulted in direct hits on the trolleybus depot — damaging not only vehicles but also the contact network and infrastructural facilities. This further complicates the situation, as the city is already operating under emergency mode due to mass destruction and human losses. Local authorities and military personnel are urging Kharkiv residents to stay safe. Emergency services are operating around the clock, providing assistance to victims and addressing the aftermath of the attack. This is already the third large-scale assault in the past month, and each time, the city’s resilience is tested against the provocations of the Russian occupation forces. The situation remains tense — Kharkiv repeatedly demonstrates courage and resilience in its fight for independence and safety. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities are calling on the international community to bolster support and assistance to Ukraine during these difficult times — to stop Russian crimes and restore peace on their homeland. Despite all hardships, Kharkiv residents continue to defend their city with dignity and hold on to hope for a swift victory.