Six dead, 10 injured in Russian strike on Ukraine: Kyiv

Six people have died in a Russian drone strike on residential neighbourhoods in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (AP PHOTO)

A Russian strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has killed six civilians and injured 10, regional officials say.

Ukraine's national police said the attack in the early hours of Saturday was launched by drones. 

It published pictures of blazes that had broken out on city streets and next to buildings.

A damaged residential building in Ukraine
Kyiv considers Kharkiv the most likely target for a new Russian offensive in May or June.

"As of this morning, there are six dead and 10 wounded as a result of the night strike on Shevchenkivskyi district," Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on the Telegram messaging app.

"The attack hit residential areas - at least nine high-rise buildings, three dormitories, a number of administrative buildings, a shop, a petrol station, a service station and cars were damaged," he said.

The strike had occurred just after midnight, news reports said.

Ukraine's military said on Facebook its air defences destroyed 28 of 32 drones and three of six missiles launched by Russia.

Kharkiv, in Ukraine's northeast, has been a frequent Russian target, with attacks intensifying in recent weeks.

On Wednesday, a drone attack on the city killed four people and badly damaged apartment blocks.

President Voldodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, told the news outlet Politico in an interview published on Thursday that he considered Kharkiv the most likely target for any new Russian offensive in May or June.

Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Synehubov reported a strike on a residential building and a missile attack on a village north of Kharkiv city. No casualties were reported in either incident.

Air raid alerts remained in effect for Kharkiv and most of the country including the capital Kyiv for several hours after the strikes. 

Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
Russia has accused Ukrainian forces of attacking the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The strike came after Russian state-run RIA news agency quoted the press service of the Russian-controlled facility as saying military drones had attacked the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant but caused no damage to its critical infrastructure.

Reuters could not independently verify the alleged incident.

In the past, both sides in the two-year-old conflict have accused each other of shelling the plant, none of whose six reactors are operating.

"Recently, Ukrainian forces' combat drones have been flying in the area of the Zaporizhzhia NPP," RIA quoted the press service as saying. 

"In particular, arrivals were recorded today in the area of the cargo port and nitrogen-oxygen station No. 2 of the Zaporizhzhia NPP."

There was no immediate public comment on the Russian allegations from Ukraine.

Separately an air alert was issued in the Ukraine-controlled part of Zaporizhzhia region on Friday afternoon.

Regional governor Ivan Fedorov said a Russian air attack killed two people and injured six more.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store