Russian missile strike on Kharkiv kills 5 civilians
Adam Hancock
A Russian missile strike on the town of Merefa in Kharkiv region killed at least five civilians and wounded 18 others, hitting homes and shops. On the same night, Ukraine launched a rare drone attack on Moscow that struck an apartment building but caused no casualties.
At least five people were killed—two men and three women—and 18 others wounded in a Russian missile strike on the town of Merefa in the northeastern Kharkiv region of Ukraine, Governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed Monday.
Syniehubov said the attack hit civilian infrastructure, including at least 10 homes and four shops. Four of the wounded are in serious condition and have been hospitalized. Regional prosecutors said Russian forces appeared to have used Iskander ballistic missiles.
Moscow has not commented on the Kharkiv strike. Since launching its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has consistently denied deliberately targeting civilians.
On the same day, Ukraine launched a drone attack on Moscow overnight, hitting a high-rise apartment building in the upscale Mosfilmovskaya Street neighborhood, about 10 km southwest of the Kremlin. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said there were no casualties. Two other drones targeting the Russian capital were intercepted by air defense systems.
The rare attack on Moscow came just five days before Russia's annual Victory Day parade. This year the event will proceed without military vehicles due to the heightened threat of Ukrainian strikes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at a summit in Armenia, alluded to Moscow's decision: "They are afraid drones could fly over Red Square."
In recent weeks, Kyiv has intensified attacks on Russian oil refineries, ports, and depots. However, Ukrainian drones rarely reach Moscow, which is heavily shielded by dense air defenses.
