Russian guided bombs struck the northern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Wednesday, marking the first use of such munitions since 2022 and resulting in the death of at least one person while injuring 16 others, according to local officials.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov condemned the attack as “another act of bloody terror against Ukrainians,” noting that among the wounded were four children.

The strikes damaged three residential buildings, with additional harm inflicted on a medical facility and a school, as reported by the interior ministry and local police.

The aftermath of the airstrikes revealed scenes of devastation, with police cordoning off affected areas strewn with debris.

Reuters television footage captured the grim reality of shattered windows, damaged balconies, and the presence of casualties, including a covered body lying amidst the chaos.

While Kharkiv and its surrounding region have endured relentless assaults since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, the use of large-calibre guided bombs represents a significant escalation in the level of destruction inflicted upon civilian infrastructure.

Serhiy Bolvinov, head of the investigative department of the regional police, confirmed this unprecedented use of aerial bombs, further corroborated by regional governor Oleh Synehubov.

Russia continues to deny any deliberate intent to harm non-combatants, despite the devastating consequences of the ongoing conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions, and left countless communities in ruins.

The global community must stand united in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, holding accountable those responsible for the indiscriminate violence inflicted upon its people.

The primary emphasis must be on safeguarding Kharkiv, a city with a population of 1.5 million, against subsequent aerial assaults, given its proximity to the border and the ongoing aerial capabilities of Russia, which present considerable risks.