14 killed and dozens injured by Russian attacks in Kharkiv

2024-05-26 15:41:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

14 people were killed and dozens more were injured as a result of attacks by Russian troops on a shopping center in Khrakiv, Ukraine, local officials announced today.

Two bombs hit the "Epicentr DIY" shopping mall in a residential area of ??Kharkiv on Saturday afternoon, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said on national television.

The attacks caused massive fire and large plumes of smoke. According to the local prosecutor's office, 43 people were injured.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov announced that around 120 people were inside the mall during the attack.

"The attack targeted the shopping center, where there were many people, this is definitely terrorism," Mr. Terekhov said.

In a post on the Telegram network, Ukraine's Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that 16 people are still missing. Last week saw an increase in attacks in Kharkiv as Moscow opened a new war front in Ukraine's second largest city.

Meanwhile, today, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, called on the President of the United States, Joe Biden, and the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, to participate in the high-level peace meeting held next month in Switzerland.

In an English-language video, standing in the rubble of a facility destroyed by Russian airstrikes on Thursday, Mr Zelenskiy said the high-level meeting would "prove who really wants the end of the war".

"I am calling on the leaders who have not yet been involved in the World Peace Meeting efforts: President Biden and President Xi. Please prove your leadership in the progress of peace, real peace, and short-term peace," said the President of Ukraine.

Russia says it sees no benefit from the meeting, to which Moscow has not been invited so far./ Voa