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KHARKIV.- Russia bombed this Saturday a large construction materials store in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, with a provisional balance of at least two dead and as many injured, in a place where according to the president Volodymyr Zelensky More than 200 people could be found.
“Russia dealt another brutal blow to our city of Kharkiv, a construction hypermarket,” denounced the Ukrainian leader on his Telegram account. “Until now, We know that more than 200 people could be found in the hypermarket. All services were mobilized to help people and put out the fire,” he added.
“We know for sure that there are two deaths,” the mayor, Igor Terejov, wrote on Telegram, while previous versions reported a report of 11 fatalities.
Terejov also pointed out “a large number of missing” and “many injured.” “This is pure terrorism,” he added.
In videos posted on Ukrainian social networks, a huge column of black smoke is seen emanating from the Epitsentr store, in a department store area next to a vehicle parking lot. According to authorities, the flames devoured 10,000 to 15,000 m2.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, has suffered periodic Russian bombing since Moscow’s forces launched a ground offensive in the region of the same name on May 10. On Thursday, those attacks killed seven people, according to authorities.
Hours earlier, Zelensky had announced that Ukrainian forces They had regained the initiative in the fighting in that area of the country, located on the border with Russia, and from where the authorities evacuated more than 11,000 people since the Russian offensive launched two weeks ago.
“Our soldiers have now managed to take combat control of the border area through which the Russian invaders entered,” Zelensky declared in a video message Friday night.
After the bombing of the store in Kharkiv, He resumed his call to the Western powers to deliver more anti-aircraft defense material.
“If Ukraine had enough systems anti-aircraft defense and modern combat aircraft, such Russian attacks would be impossible,” he stated. “Every day we appeal to the world: Give us air defense, save the people!” He added.
“I asked President Biden and the European Union to impose sanctions against the Kremlin, against Putin, their environment and the Russian energy sector before the invasion, but no one listened to us,” he recalled.
“Everyone said no: first the Russians must take a step, then we will take the corresponding steps. And what is the result? As a result, the great human losses are irreparable,” he claimed.
In more than two years of war, Russia conquered several sectors of eastern Ukraine, some of which were partially recovered, although the front line has not undergone major changes in recent months.
Agencies AFP and ANSA
THE NATION
