Russian drone attack injures nearly 50 people in Kharkiv

An attack on the city of Kharkiv by Russia using drones late Friday left approximately 50 people injured, including an 11-year-old child, according to officials. Kharkiv governor Oleg Synegubov described the attack as “massive,” with drones targeting four different parts of the city, causing fires and significant damage to homes, buildings, and vehicles.

The mayor of Kharkiv reported that 12 different locations across the four districts were hit, resulting in eight individuals remaining hospitalized in moderate condition. Emergency workers were quick to respond, extinguishing fires and clearing debris while medical personnel tended to the injured.

Prior to this assault, Russia had also launched an attack on Zaporizhzhia, injuring 29 people. These incidents occurred just before Russia’s planned three-day ceasefire for their World War II holiday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the ceasefire, stating that it was merely a facade as the drones targeted civilian areas, not military installations.

Zelenskyy emphasized the need for international pressure on Russia, highlighting the ongoing drone strikes that continue to inflict harm on Ukrainian civilians. He stressed the importance of implementing strong sanctions to compel Russia to agree to a genuine ceasefire and bring an end to the conflict.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that Russia requires further clarification and resolution of various issues before considering any U.S.-brokered peace deal to halt the invasion of Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin expressed support for the ceasefire initiative but emphasized the need to address key concerns before proceeding.

The relentless attacks on Ukraine underscore the urgency for diplomatic intervention and decisive action to de-escalate tensions and prevent further casualties. It is imperative for the international community to unite in condemning these acts of aggression and holding accountable those responsible for the violence.

ABC News’ David Brennan contributed to this report.