Russian forces drop 12 bombs on Kupyansk, killing and injuring civilians

The head of the Kharkiv regional police, Volodymyr Tymoshko, reported the information. 

"12 aerial bombs, FABs on Kupyansk from 1:00 pm to 1:40 pm. There were hits to residential buildings, including a two-storey apartment block. There are victims and people under the rubble," he wrote. 

Tymoshko added that the police and the State Emergency Service are clearing the rubble. 

Later, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, said that 3 people were injured in the Russian attack: 2 women were hospitalised with injuries, and a man was treated on the spot. 

In addition, at least 5 private houses were damaged and a two-storey building with 2 entrances was destroyed, with people still trapped under the rubble. 

As of 4:28 pm, a 69-year-old woman was rescued from under the rubble and hospitalised with a broken limb. 

"The search continues, two people remain trapped under the rubble," added Syniehubov. 

The Prosecutor General's Office said that the number of victims had increased to five. 

A pre-trial investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war (Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) has been launched.

As of 10:20 am on 18 February, the rescue operations have been completed, the State Emergency Service said. 

"Rescuers pulled four people out of the rubble. They have been injured and are currently in medical institutions. We also managed to unblock the bodies of 2 people from the rubble: a man and a woman," the rescuers said.

• On the night of Saturday, 17 February, Russian forces attacked Kupyansk, Kharkiv region, injuring two civilians.