Russian strike on high-rise building in Kharkiv kills 3, injures 36

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported an explosion at 10:51 p.m. of the previous day, stating that Russian forces had launched a guided aerial bomb, which struck a multi-story building. 

Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, noted that the bomb hit the fourth floor of a building in the Saltivskyi district, causing extensive damage from the sixth floor down to the first floor of the nine-story structure.

"Preliminarily, there are victims, including those trapped under the rubble," Syniehubov wrote at 11:01 p.m. Emergency services are actively searching the area, with reports of a child beneath the debris and people trapped on the upper floors. Rescuers are working intensively at the scene.

As of 11:50 p.m., Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported 15 victims, while Oleh Syniehubov stated that the number of injured had risen to 17, including an 11-year-old child. 

Later, Syniehubov added that, based on preliminary data, Russian forces hit the building with a FAB-500 bomb, causing extensive damage that poses a risk of collapse, complicating rescue efforts. 

The number of wounded has since increased to 29, and tragically, a child was killed.

“Despite their efforts, doctors failed to resuscitate the boy,” wrote the head of the Regional Military Administration. 

As of 1 a.m., Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that the number of injured had risen to 30, including a child still trapped under the rubble. Oleh Syniehubov stated that at least two people might be beneath the debris and confirmed that the deceased boy, who was 11 years old, was recovered from the rubble with severe head injuries and fractures.

Bohdan Hladkykh, director of the city's emergency department, told Suspilne that body fragments were found under the rubble of the high-rise building. The death toll has risen to two. In addition, as of 3 a.m., at least 33 people were reported injured. The search and rescue operation continues, and one more person may be under the rubble.

The State Emergency Service reported that as of 5:35 a.m., the number of wounded had increased to 35, including one child.

“A block of a 9-story building from the 5th to the 1st floor was destroyed. People are likely to be trapped under the rubble. Rescue operations are ongoing,” the State Emergency Service added. 

Russian attack. Kharkiv, October 30, 2024, Photo: Kharkiv Regional Military Administration

On the morning of October 31, Oleh Syniehubov clarified that the deceased boy turned 12 in September. Also, according to his information, another 15-year-old boy is under the rubble. 

“The found body fragments belong to a person who has already been identified. At this moment, one person is dead. 34 people were injured. The rescue operation is ongoing,” said the head of the Regional Military Administration. 

Later, Dmytro Chubenko, a spokesman for the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, said that rescuers found the body of a 15-year-old boy under the rubble. 

“He lived on the first floor with his grandparents, who were in another room when the strike occurred. He is in the room where six floors have collapsed,” Chubenko said. “The rescuers can see the body, but it is trapped under heavy slabs. They are now working on how to safely remove the debris without causing further damage to the body.”

According to him, the boy is likely deceased, as he has been trapped under the rubble for a prolonged period.

“The injuries are very serious, there are no signs of life, and the limbs are motionless,” the spokesman added.

At 1:34 p.m., Oleh Syniehubov reported that rescuers had retrieved a man's body from the rubble.

“Rescuers have uncovered the body of a civilian man, approximately 25-30 years old. The death toll has risen to two. The rescue and search operation continues,” he stated.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed that there are currently 36 wounded.

At 2:18 p.m., Syniehubov announced that the body of a 15-year-old boy had been recovered from the debris of the destroyed nine-story building.

“The death toll has now risen to three,” Syniehubov added.

Zelenskyy's response

“Our partners see what is happening every day. And in these circumstances, each decision they postpone means at least dozens or even hundreds of such Russian bombs against Ukraine. Their decisions are the lives of our people. Therefore, together we must stop Russia and do it with all possible force,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote.

The President also posted a video from the scene.

The situation is developing...