Russia strikes twice at five-story building in Kharkiv: death toll rises to 9

Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, announced this.

As of June 1, there were 9 people killed in the shelling of Kharkiv. Among them are three women aged 39, 68 and 86, as well as four men aged 52, 64, 41 and 28. This afternoon, rescuers found the bodies of two more victims. Their identities are being established.

Earlier, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said that around 10:20 a.m., rescuers found the body of another victim under the rubble of a residential building.

The head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, said that as of 08:40 a.m. the number of killed had increased to 7. Search operations continue, and two more women may be under the rubble.

On the morning of June 1, the State Emergency Service press service reported that during the rubble removal at the site of the destroyed entrance of the residential building, rescuers found the body of another killed person. 

In total, 6 bodies have already been found and removed at the site of the emergency search operations.

The SES adds that the work is ongoing. A total of 70 rescuers and 12 units of emergency equipment are working at the scene.

The night before, the State Emergency Service reported that 5 people were killed in the residential building, 24 others were injured, and 4 residents were probably under the rubble.

In the morning, Syniehubov wrote about 5 killed and 25 injured due to a Russian double strike on a residential building.

"8 people were hospitalized, 2 of them in serious condition. Also, a 12-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy were sent to the hospital, both in moderate condition," the official added.

Kharkiv regional council deputy Oleksandr Skoryk told Espreso TV that the fate of 5 people who remain under the rubble is unclear: "Russian terror against the city continues. The latest information is 4 dead, 25 wounded. Probably 5 people may be under the rubble, their fate is unclear. Most likely, they may be dead".

Photo: Oleh Syniehubov

As of 07:55 a.m, three people were reported killed and 25 injured as a result of Russian strikes on Kharkiv. According to the mayor of the city, Ihor Terekhov, up to 5 people may be trapped under the rubble.

Timeline of events

The shelling was first reported by Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Information about the explosions in Kharkiv appeared around 11:50 p.m. It is known that Russians shelled a residential area. Two hits were recorded. 

"Unfortunately, we got into an apartment building. There is destruction and fire. Information about the victims is being clarified," Terekhov wrote at 00:09.

A second explosion occurred at 00:15. According to Syniehubov, the Russians hit a 5-storey building, there may be people under the rubble.

Terekhov at 00:24: repeated hits.

As of 03:50 a.m, there are three killed and 23 injured. Among the injured are a 12-year-old boy and girl, as well as a medical worker and a policewoman who arrived at the scene of the explosion.

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After 05:00 a.m, the National Police of Ukraine reported details of the shelling. Residents heard at least five explosions.

A man and a woman died as a result of hitting a high-rise building. They are being identified. The 4th and 5th floors of one of the entrances were completely destroyed.

"Another shell hit the ground on the territory of a civilian production facility. A security guard born in 1959 was killed as a result of the shelling. Production facilities were damaged," the police added.

There may be people under the rubble. Emergency rescue operations at the site of the destroyed residential building continue.

• On the evening of May 31 and at night of June 1, Russian troops fired missiles and Shaheds at Ukraine: in total, power facilities in 5 regions came under attack. Ukrainian air defense downed 81 aerial targets.