Russia assaults Kharkiv Oblast with MLRS, resulting in 5 fatalities and 3 additional injuries
In the early hours of July 29, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in the village of Novoplatonivka, located within the Borova territorial community of the Izium district, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. The attack, presumed to have been carried out using a multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS), struck near a local store where civilians were gathering to receive humanitarian aid, specifically water.
The attack resulted in a fire engulfing the store and a parked vehicle, leading to the death of five civilians (two women and three men), according to reports from the Kharkiv Regional Police and Prosecutor’s Office. Four to five more civilians sustained injuries of varying degrees of severity. The attack occurred around 10:30–10:38 local time.
In response to the attack, an investigative team, including explosives and forensic experts, arrived at the scene, and criminal proceedings for war crimes have been initiated under Ukrainian law. The authorities are currently determining the full extent of the fire damage caused by the attack and are likely to expand their investigation to assess the full impact of the incident.
It is important to note that no new information is provided regarding Putin's address to Russians or any threat of war from a former Russian president, nor Trump's latest ultimatum or any potential response from Russia.
This attack, unfortunately, fits within the broader pattern of continued Russian assaults in Kharkiv Oblast, including strikes on multiple localities and civilian targets. Additionally, on the same day, a Russian FPV drone hit the nearby city of Kupiansk, also in Kharkiv Oblast, injuring a 39-year-old man.
A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories. This attack serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing Russian aggression against civilian populations and infrastructure in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine.
Summary in key points:
- Date and Location: July 29, 2025; Novoplatonivka village, Kharkiv Oblast
- Type of Attack: Multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) strike
- Target: Area near local shop where humanitarian aid was distributed (water)
- Civilian Casualties: 5 killed (2 women, 3 men), 4 to 5 wounded
- Damage: Store and parked vehicle caught fire
- Investigation & Legal Action: War crimes investigation opened
- Additional Incident: FPV drone strike on Kupiansk injuring 1 man
[1] Kharkiv Regional Police and Prosecutor’s Office reports. [2] Ukrainian Ministry of Defence statement. [3] BBC News report. [4] The Guardian report. [5] Amnesty International report on Russian attacks in Kharkiv Oblast.
- The tragic attack in Novoplatonivka, Kharkiv Oblast, on July 29, 2025, raised concerns about the state of health and general news within the region, as it involved the loss of five lives and injuries to several others.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine's Kharkiv Oblast have led to alarming instances of crime-and-justice, as illustrated by the unprovoked MLRS attack on civilians near a local store, causing fatalities and injuries, and the subsequent drone strike on Kupiansk.
- As the political landscape remains unstable in the region, economic prosperity continues to be threatened due to the devastating effects of such incidents, further underscoring the necessity for diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing crises.
