By Desmond Nleya
Russian overnight drone and missile attacks struck the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv and the southern region of Zaporizhzhia, injuring at least 23 people and causing widespread damage to residential areas and infrastructure, according to Ukrainian authorities.
In Kharkiv, at least 14 people were wounded, including a seven-year-old boy, after strikes hit residential districts across several parts of the city. Apartment buildings and local infrastructure were damaged, while emergency crews responded to fires and cleared debris through the night.
Zaporizhzhia was also targeted during the same wave of attacks, leaving at least nine people injured. Officials said 19 apartment blocks, private homes and two shopping centres sustained damage. The strikes also disrupted heating supplies, leaving about 500 homes temporarily without heat.
Rescue teams worked overnight to extinguish fires and assist trapped residents. Ukrainian air defence systems intercepted some of the incoming drones and missiles, but authorities said the attacks still caused significant civilian damage.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was not directly affected, and no increase in radiation levels was reported. The International Atomic Energy Agency said the facility remains stable and continues to be monitored.
