Russia strikes again at civilian targets in Ukraine: dead and wounded
On May 19, Russia again launched a series of missile strikes on Kharkiv region and attacked Odesa region. Dozens of civilians, including children and a pregnant woman, were killed and injured as a result of these attacks.
Attack on a recreation center in Kharkiv
This morning’s explosions in Kharkiv have had terrible consequences. Russian troops attacked a recreation center in the village of Cherkaska Lozova, Malodanylivka community, with rockets. Six civilians were killed, including a woman seven months pregnant, and 27 others were injured. The victims include an emergency medical technician, a police officer and an 8-year-old child.
The head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Commissariat, Oleh Syniehubov, confirmed that Russian troops fired two Iskander-M missiles from the territory of the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation. The first strike destroyed part of the base, and 10 minutes later the enemy struck the same place a second time, when rescuers and medics were already on the spot. This is reported by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
Strikes on civilian infrastructure
In addition to the recreation center, the occupiers attacked a children’s railroad in Kharkiv. The shelling damaged rolling stock and buildings. Fortunately, no one was injured as trains were not allowed to run on the children’s railway this year for safety reasons. This was reported by Ukrzaliznytsia.
Attack on the center of Kharkiv
On the afternoon of May 19, the Russian occupation army launched rocket attacks on the center of Kharkiv. Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported on the shelling of the city at 15:14, noting that several explosions were heard in Kharkiv and urged citizens to be careful.
Later, Terekhov clarified that the strikes had hit the central part of the city. One rocket hit a cemetery, and the other hit one of Kharkiv’s favorite vacation spots. “There is no military infrastructure at the cemetery or in the recreational area,” he emphasized.
As of 3:41 p.m., it became known about the victims of the daytime strike on Kharkiv. Oleh Syniehubov said that the Russians attacked Shevchenkivskyi district, near the football field. The strike damaged the ground next to the field where people were standing, as well as the Park cafe and cinema, where windows were smashed.
The situation in Odesa region
On the evening of May 19, an alert was issued in Odesa region due to the threat of ballistic missiles. At about 18:46, an explosion occurred as Russia attacked the region from Crimea. As a result of the attack, missile fragments damaged an administrative building and a residential area in Odesa. Fortunately, casualties were avoided thanks to the successful work of air defense. They also shot down 20 Shahed kamikaze drones at night and an Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone in the morning.
The reaction of the authorities
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov called the strikes terrorism against civilians and called on the international community to increase pressure on Russia. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko also confirmed that a child and emergency workers who arrived to help after the first strike were among the victims.
The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office has launched a pre-trial investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war combined with premeditated murder under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
