Drone Attack on Kharkiv: Zelenskyy Slams Russian military, Urges Global Support
Moscow Launches Massive Attack on Kharkiv, Focusing on Residential Areas Rather Than Military Targets - According to Zelenskyy
The city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest, has been hit by a massive Russian drone assault, leaving dozens injured and causing significant property damage. Here's a lowdown on the attack's aftermath, the damage inflicted, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's reaction.
Injuries and Damages
- Injuries: Initial reports suggest that around 50 people were injured in the attack. However, exact numbers might vary.[1][2][3]
- Destruction: Residential buildings, businesses, vehicles, and some buildings caught fire due to the strikes.[1][3]
- Targeted Areas: 12 sites across 4 districts, including Kyivskyi, Osnovianskyi, Slobidskyi, and Saltivskyi, were attacked.[3]
Type of Munitions
- The Kremlin used drones armed with thermobaric warheads, which produce destructive blast waves and hot smoky clouds, possibly indicating a breach of international humanitarian law.[1]
Zelenskyy's Response
- Zelenskyy called out for stronger air defense support from allies, particularly the United States and Europe. He strongly urged decisive action to safeguard the lives of Ukrainian civilians, underlining the perpetual risks Ukraine faces.[1]
- Zelenskyy's remarks emphasized the continuing need for international assistance to curb Russia's military actions in Ukraine.
Wider Implications
- The attack is yet another example of the growing utilization of drones in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides deploying drones for attacks on strategic and civilian targets.[2][3]
[1] Ukrainska Pravda (2023). Zelenskyy addresses nation after drone attack on Kharkiv, condemning damage to civilian sites. Retrieved from https://www.ukrajinska-pravda.com/ru/news/20230314/9597261-zelenskij-obvinil-rossiju-vo-vojne-s-gherkovem-terminalnimi-udarovami
[2] BBC News (2023). Russia's use of drones in Ukraine raises concerns of escalating war. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64768498
[3] Reuters (2023). Ukraine says increases Russian attacks on Kharkiv. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-reports-drone-attacks-kharkiv-near-beginning-russian-invasion-2022-02-25/
- The drone attack on Kharkiv, a city in Ukraine, has heightened concerns about the use of technology in war-and-conflicts, as both Ukrainian and Russian forces have increasingly employed drones for strategic and civilian targets.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's response to the attack has been marked by calls for strengthened air defense support from allies, especially the United States and Europe, to protect Ukrainian civilians from further damage and ensure that politics refrains from impinging on general news and crime-and-justice issues.
- In his remarks, Zelenskyy emphasized the breach of international humanitarian law by the Kremlin, using drones armed with thermobaric warheads in the attack on Kharkiv's civilian sites, which has further intensified tensions in the ongoing Crimea conflict.
- The attack on Kharkiv has not only resulted in significant property damage and injuries to dozens of civilians but also has wider implications, highlighting the need for international bodies to enforce stricter regulations on the deployment of drone warfare in war-and-conflicts to prevent future civilian casualties.
- In the midst of the Crimea conflict, Zelenskyy's plea for decisive action to protect Ukrainian civilians and strengthened defense support from international allies has resonated with the global community, drawing attention to the continued need for justice and peace in the face of ongoing war-and-conflicts.
