Russian attack on Kharkiv leaves at least 5 people killed, March 22 declared Day of Mourning

Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov reported this.

"In addition to the five killed, we have the same number of missing persons. Their identities have been established, but they are neither among the wounded nor among the killed. The number of wounded is now nine. The fire has been almost extinguished, and only the affected building is smoldering. The search and rescue operation continues," he wrote.

On the morning of March 21, Terekhov informed that March 22 was declared a day of mourning in Kharkiv.

He clarified that eight victims are in hospital with moderate injuries. At the same time, the search and rescue operation continues.

"As a sign of mourning for the victims, the national flag of Ukraine with a black ribbon will be at half-mast on the buildings and structures of local government, enterprises, institutions and organizations on Friday. Entertainment music will also be banned in markets, retail establishments, catering facilities, etc.," the Kharkiv City Council said in a statement.

As of 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the State Emergency Service, the number of injured was 9 people, 1 person was rescued.

At 8:38 p.m., the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, said that the number of victims had increased to eight. Seven of them were hospitalized, and one person was treated on the spot.

As of 5:25 p.m., the death toll had risen to five.

"Another man's body was unblocked from the rubble. The death toll has increased to 5 people. Emergency services continue to work at the scene," said Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration. 

The Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office said that, according to preliminary data, the city was hit by a Kh-59 missile. A pre-trial investigation has been launched into the violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

As of 4:30 p.m., seven people were reported wounded. The death toll has risen to two. At the same time, Kharkiv Mayor Terekhov said that four people were reported dead. 

Earlier, the head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, reported that as of 3:19 p.m., one person was killed. According to rescuers, two more people may be under the rubble.

"In total, up to 10 people may be under the rubble. The building is currently engulfed in flames and filled with smoke. The details and circumstances of the shelling are being investigated. The information is being updated," he said.

He also noted that the three wounded men, aged 65, 46, and 37, suffered moderate injuries, a 46-year-old man is in serious condition and a 47-year-old man is in light condition. They were all hospitalized.

At 2:44 p.m., rescuers reported one dead person as a result of a Russian attack on a production building on the territory of one of the city's enterprises.

At the same time, at 2:05 p.m., the deputy head of the regional police department, the head of the investigation department, Serhiy Bolvinov, reported that three people were killed and five were injured, two of whom were taken to the hospital. The rest were examined by doctors at the scene to decide whether they needed hospitalization. Among the injured were employees of the company.

In addition, an eight-story building, a furniture and paint shop in the Kholodnohirskyi district, and a printing house were damaged. The fire covered more than 1,000 square meters.

According to the mayor of the city, the search operation continues, as well as firefighting. It is emphasized that the number of victims and injured may be higher.

The head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration reported the Russian attack on the city.

"The occupiers have once again attacked one of the districts of Kharkiv. There may be people under the rubble. All specialized services are working at the scene," he wrote. 

The head of the Kharkiv military garrison, Serhiy Melnyk, later informed that the occupation troops had attacked Kharkiv with a cruise missile. 

Mayor Igor Terekhov wrote that people were injured in the Russian strike on the city: their number and degree of injuries are being clarified. In addition, a large-scale fire broke out at the site of the hit. 

An air raid alert was announced in Kharkiv at 12:14 a.m. Terekhov wrote about an explosion in the city at 12:58 a.m. As of 1:41 p.m., there was no all-clear signal. 

• On the night of March 20, the Russian terrorist army attacked the village of Kozacha Lopan in Kharkiv region. As a result, a civilian man was injured.