Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, Tuesday accused Russia of engaging in “frank, undisguised terror” after a missile struck the main square of Ukraine’s second-largest city, killing at least seven people, injuring dozens, and damaging an administrative building.
“They are using terror trying to break us,” Zelenskyy said in an address to the European Parliament on day six of Russia’s deadly assault on Ukraine.
The missile attack on Kharkiv was seen as part of Russia’s intensifying effort to overcome strong resistance from Ukrainian military forces and volunteersResponding to the invasion, Ukrainian officials claim that at least 130 civilians have been killed.
⚡️⚡️Russian missile attack on Kharkiv region administration. Awful. This morning pic.twitter.com/hUmRN1JZsQ
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) March 1, 2022
The Wall Street Journal reported that Russian forces on Monday “unleashed a barrage of multiple-launch rocket fire against residential neighborhoods in Kharkiv, killing at least 10 civilians, including three children andTheir parents who were incinerated in a car struck by a Russian projectile, and injuring at least 40, according to Kharkiv officials.”
“Some 87 Kharkiv apartment buildings have been damaged, and several parts of Kharkiv no longer have water, electricity or heating, Mayor Ihor Terekhov told Ukrainian TV channels,” the Journal noted. “Kharkiv, which served as the capital of Ukraine in the 1920s and 1930s, is home to some 1.4 million people.”
Ekaterina Babenko, a Kharkiv resident, told the Associated Press that the ongoing attack “is a nightmare, and it seizes you from the inside very strongly.”
“This cannot be explained with words,” said Babenko, who has been taking shelter in a basement with neighbors for several consecutive days. “We have small children, elderly people and frankly speaking it is very frightening.”
An International Criminal Court prosecutor saidMonday, he announced that he will launch an investigation into war crimes in Ukraine. Russian forces are facing accusations of being deployed. unlawful cluster munitionsUsing violence against civilians. Russia has denied that it is targeting civilian areas.
Terekhov warnedTuesday saw Russian troops surround Kharkiv. Residents and Ukrainian forces are preparing for further attacks on the city. Satellite imagery shows a 40-mile convoyRussian tanks and armored vehicle advancing towards Kyiv
“Kharkiv and Kyiv are currently the most important targets for Russia,” Zelenskyy saidIn a Facebook video posted Tuesday. “Terror is meant to break us. To break down our resistance. They are heading to our capital, as well as to Kharkiv.”
On Monday, Russian officials and Ukrainian officials held a preliminary round of talks near the border with Belarus. Additional negotiations are expected in the coming days. Ukraine’s leadership is demanding an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Russian troops, while Russia’s leaders are calling for the “demilitarization” of Ukraine and a guarantee that the country will not join NATO.
Dmitry Peskov (Kremlin spokesperson) saidTuesday’s announcement that Zelenskyy has withdrawn from the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s direct speech was not made.
“Direct talks are underway between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations,” said Peskov.
