Russia attacks Kharkiv: 28 injured, civilian infrastructure damaged

This was reported by Kharkiv military administration head Oleh Syniehubov.

Syniehubov claimed that Kharkiv was hit by more than six strikes, with the downtown area suffering the most and civilian infrastructure damaged. Emergency services are actively working in the affected areas.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov mentioned a residential building in the city center being hit, resulting in a fire and significant destruction. Syniehubov clarified that hospitals, apartment buildings, shops, public places, and transport were affected.

"In the attack on a residential building, a 16-year-old boy sustained shrapnel wounds and is in stable condition," noted Syniehubov.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported a British journalist among the victims. According to the Head of Police of the Kharkiv region, Volodymyr Tymoshko, preliminary information suggests the use of S-300 missiles in a "surface-to-surface" capacity targeting Kharkiv.

By 8:40 PM, at least six hits were confirmed, with three in the Industrialnyi district and two in the city center. 

"One - in the hotel, the other - nearby, in the yard of a residential building. Five people were injured during the attack on the residential building, they were hospitalized, among them a 16-year-old teenager. Two of the injured were in the hotel during the attack," said Tymoshko

Additionally, three medical facilities sustained damage, with no harm to staff or patients.

The Prosecutor General's Office reported 20 victims by 9:40 PM, including two boys aged 16 and 14, along with injuries to a British journalist.

“Damage extended to a hotel, apartment buildings, a kindergarten, administrative structures, shops, restaurants, trade pavilions, and cars,” the message said. 

As of December 31 morning, the Ministry of Internal Affairs increased the count to 22 victims. Preliminary data suggested at least six S-300 missiles struck the city in the evening, damaging numerous structures and vehicles.

12 apartment buildings, 13 private houses, hospitals, a hotel building, a kindergarten, commercial premises, a gas pipeline, and cars were damaged.

Later, Kharkiv administration specified the victim count at 28, with 12 hospitalized, including two children aged 14 and 16, in stable to light condition.

• On the same day, occupiers targeted Kherson and a nearby village, resulting in two fatalities.