Russia Launches Massive Nighttime Assault on Kharkiv, Killing 3 and Injuring 22

In a harrowing escalation of the ongoing conflict, the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv endured one of the most intense and destructive attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion over three years ago.

The overnight assault, which took place on Friday into early Saturday, involved a barrage of drones, missiles, and guided aerial bombs that left at least three people dead and 22 injured—including a 1.5-month-old infant.

Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city and located just a few dozen kilometers from the Russian border, has frequently been a target due to its strategic location.

However, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, this latest assault was unlike anything the city has seen before. “Kharkiv is currently experiencing the most powerful attack since the start of the full-scale war,” Terekhov stated on Telegram.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Beirut and Ein Qana Wake to Ruins and Resilience

Throughout the night, the city echoed with dozens of explosions. Russian forces launched a coordinated strike using multiple types of weaponry. Residential high-rises, private homes, educational institutions, and infrastructure facilities were all hit, painting a grim picture of widespread destruction.

Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that one of Kharkiv’s civilian industrial sites was targeted with overwhelming force—40 drones, one missile, and four guided bombs. The attack triggered a large fire, and rescue operations were ongoing, with fears that people may still be trapped beneath the rubble.

Nationwide, Ukraine’s military confirmed that Russia had launched a staggering 206 drones, two ballistic missiles, and seven other missiles overnight. Of these, 87 drones were intercepted and destroyed by Ukrainian air defenses. An additional 80 drones were either diverted through electronic warfare or turned out to be decoys without warheads.

Ten locations across Ukraine were hit in total, underscoring the scale and coordination behind this latest offensive.

As Kharkiv reels from this devastating blow, the resolve of the Ukrainian people remains unshaken—but the humanitarian toll continues to rise. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as calls grow louder for increased support and protection for Ukraine’s embattled cities.