Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least 10 people were killed after what he described as a Russian attack on a busy area in Pechenihy, in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region.
In a statement, Zelenskyy said the strike hit an intersection surrounded by residential buildings and located near a post office and several stores.
He described the incident as a “brutal attack” and expressed condolences to the families of those killed.
Injured Civilians Receiving Medical Treatment
Zelenskyy said numerous other people were injured in the attack and were receiving medical care.
Emergency crews were deployed to the scene, where a fire broke out following the strike. According to the Ukrainian president, first responders had extinguished the blaze while emergency and rescue services continued working at the location.
Ukrainian authorities were also working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The casualty figures and details of the strike were presented by Zelenskyy and had not been independently verified in the statement.
Kyiv Vows to Respond
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would respond to the attack, signaling that Kyiv intends to take further action following the reported civilian deaths.
“We will definitely respond to this Russian strike,” he said.
The Ukrainian president did not provide details about what form the response would take or identify specific targets.
Zelenskyy Calls for Greater International Pressure
Alongside promising a Ukrainian response, Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s international partners to increase pressure on Moscow.
He argued that military retaliation should be accompanied by additional measures from allied countries aimed at constraining Russia and strengthening Ukraine.
The appeal comes as Kyiv continues to press its Western partners for greater military, economic and diplomatic support while the war enters another period of intense fighting.
Kharkiv Region Remains a Major Flashpoint
The Kharkiv region has remained a frequent target of Russian attacks since the full-scale invasion began, with civilian areas periodically coming under fire.
Pechenihy, located in Kharkiv region, has previously faced security risks because of its proximity to areas affected by the wider conflict.
The latest reported strike is likely to intensify calls from Ukrainian officials for additional international pressure on Russia, particularly following reports of civilian casualties.
Authorities were continuing to assess the damage and establish the full toll as emergency personnel remained at the scene.
