Russian Missile Strikes Kill 10 Including Children in Kharkiv, Ukraine
Russian missile strikes have killed at least 10 people, including two children, in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. The attack, which occurred overnight on Saturday, March 7, 2026, targeted a residential building and caused widespread damage across the city.
Details of the Kharkiv Attack
The ballistic missile damaged a five-storey residential building in Kharkiv, destroying the entrance and damaging the upper floors of a neighboring structure. More than 15 people were injured, including three children, as rescuers cleared rubble and searched for survivors buried in the collapse. Across the city, 19 residential buildings, electricity distribution lines, commercial and administrative premises, and cars were damaged by the Russian attacks.
Nationwide Barrage of Drones and Missiles
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia launched 480 drones and 29 missiles overnight, targeting vital energy and railway infrastructure across the country. Most of the drones were Shaheds, Iranian-designed drones that Russia has used repeatedly since the full-scale invasion began four years ago. Air defense systems downed 19 missiles and 453 drones, but preliminary data shows nine missiles and 26 strike drones hit 22 locations.
Infrastructure Damage Across Regions
Mr. Zelenskyy reported that Russia targeted energy facilities in the Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernivtsi regions, and the railway in the Zhytomyr region. Damage was also reported in the Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, and Cherkasy regions. In the Kyiv region, three people were injured, heating was disconnected in 2,806 apartment buildings, and debris damage occurred across three districts. In the Odesa region, 80 firefighters battled major blazes at infrastructure facilities following a drone attack.
International Context and Response
President Zelenskyy urged Ukraine's partners to continue air defense and weapons supplies, stating, "There should be a response from partners to these savage strikes against life." He emphasized that Russia has not abandoned attempts to destroy Ukraine's residential and critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russia has launched large-scale domestic production of Shahed drones, which have played a prominent role in Iran's response to US-Israeli strikes. A new round of US-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine, planned for this week, has been postponed due to the war in the Middle East.
