In a devastating turn of events, the city of Kharkiv in northern Ukraine has been rocked by a brutal attack. Russian forces launched two glide bombs targeting a bustling supermarket, resulting in a tragic loss of life and numerous injuries. Local authorities have confirmed the death of at least 12 individuals, with 43 more suffering wounds from the assault.
The site of the attack, the Epicentr K home improvement store, was engulfed in flames, visible from afar as a large fire raged on the city’s northern edge. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed grave concerns, estimating that over 200 people might have been present in the supermarket during the strike. He condemned the attack as a stark display of “Russian madness,” directly criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin for perpetrating such acts of violence and terror.
Later that same day, the heart of Kharkiv suffered another blow as a second airstrike injured an additional eight people. This information was relayed by Mr. Terekhov, though further details were not provided.
The repeated strikes have heightened the sense of vulnerability among Ukrainians, underscoring the dire need for adequate air defenses. President Zelensky has made repeated calls for air defense systems from Western allies, emphasizing Ukraine’s right to self-defense.
These attacks come in the wake of a significant G7 summit held in Italy, where finance ministers endorsed the notion of reallocating profits from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s military efforts. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reported widespread agreement on the proposal. An American initiative suggests leveraging these frozen assets in Western banks as security for a substantial $50 billion loan to Kyiv, a topic set for further discussion in the coming month.
In response to these developments, Russia has issued warnings of retaliation. The recent aggression towards Kharkiv signals a boldness in Moscow’s strategy, as Russian forces seize the moment to press their advantage. This occurs amidst a period of anticipation in Ukraine for the arrival of additional Western armaments.
The glide bombs utilized in the Kharkiv attack represent a cost-effective yet highly destructive weapon, created by retrofitting old Soviet bombs with modern satellite navigation and fold-out wings. President Zelensky highlighted the severity of the situation, revealing that in March alone, 3,000 such bombs were dropped across Ukraine.
A report from the Centre for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) has shed light on the significant impact of these weapons, noting their crucial role in the capture of Avdiivka, a key eastern town, this past February.
