Over 40 explosions rock Ukraine’s second-largest city; Five killed, dozens injured in back-to-back missile, drone, and bomb assaults condemned as “pure terrorism” by President Zelensky.
Kharkiv, Ukraine – June 8, 2025:
In one of the most brutal escalations since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia launched a devastating multi-pronged assault on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, early Saturday morning. The strike, which Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov described as the “most powerful attack” to date, resulted in at least five deaths and over 40 injuries, with Russian forces deploying missiles, drones, and guided aerial bombs in a coordinated barrage.
Located just 30 kilometers from the Russian border, Kharkiv was rocked by more than 40 explosions in the early hours, according to Mayor Terekhov. He reported simultaneous attacks across multiple districts, describing the onslaught as “outright terror against peaceful Kharkiv.”
The assault came less than 24 hours after Ukraine conducted a drone strike that severely damaged Russia’s cruise missile carriers, a move widely seen as triggering Moscow’s retaliation.
Footage released by Ukrainian emergency services showed a large blaze engulfing a multi-story apartment building in the Osnovyanskyi district. Two people died in that location, while another fatality occurred in the Kyivskyi district, where a missile struck a residential house. Later in the evening, Russia resumed its attack with glide bombs, killing two more civilians, including a 62-year-old man and a woman, and leaving more than 40 injured.
Tragically, one of the second-wave strikes targeted a children’s playground featuring a miniature railway — a location that Mayor Terekhov confirmed was directly hit. Among the injured, two victims are in intensive care in critical condition, said Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv regional military administration.
President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly condemned the renewed assault, branding it “pure terrorism” in a statement on Telegram.
“Air bombs on civilians in the city – even a children’s railway nearby. This makes no military sense. Pure terrorism,” he wrote. “This cannot be ignored. We cannot turn a blind eye to this. Every day we lose our people just because Russia feels impunity. We need tough pressure on Russia to make peace.”
As Ukraine braces for further attacks, calls are mounting internationally for renewed diplomatic and economic pressure on Moscow to end the war, now well into its third year. The latest wave of violence has reignited concerns over civilian safety, war crimes, and the targeting of non-military infrastructure.
Kharkiv remains on high alert as rescue efforts continue and authorities assess the full scope of the damage. The Ukrainian military and local officials have reiterated their plea for enhanced air defense systems to protect cities under siege.