Three killed including children as 40 EXPLOSIONS rock city in 90 minutes of terror – Mayor declares unprecedented assault after Ukraine’s audacious strike on Russian bomber fleet
VLADIMIR Putin has unleashed his “most powerful attack of the entire war” on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv in a devastating barrage that killed three people and injured up to 21 – including at least two children.
The northeastern city, located just 19 miles from the Russian border, was pounded before dawn on Saturday with an unprecedented assault of 48 Iranian-made Shahed drones, missiles and deadly glide bombs in what officials described as pure terror against civilians.
In a chilling 90-minute onslaught that saw more than 40 explosions rock the city, terrified residents scrambled for shelter as the skies rained death from above in Putin’s promised revenge for Ukraine’s audacious drone strikes on his nuclear-capable bomber fleet.
‘Outright Terror Against Peaceful Kharkiv’
Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov didn’t mince words as he declared on Telegram: “Kharkiv is currently experiencing the most powerful attack since the beginning of the full-scale war!”
The mayor, posting at 4:40 am local time as drones still buzzed overhead, warned residents: “As of now, at least 40 explosions have been heard in the city over the past hour and a half. The threat remains.”
In a later furious post, Terekhov declared: “This is outright terror against peaceful Kharkiv!”
Regional governor Oleg Synegubov confirmed the horrifying toll, stating that among the wounded were at least two children, with “Medical personnel providing the necessary assistance.
Children Among The Victims
The attack’s brutality was underscored by the ages of those caught in the crossfire. Officials confirmed:
- A 14-year-old girl injured in the Kyivsky district
- A 1.5-year-old infant wounded in the Osnovyansky district
- Multiple children among the 21 injured across the city
The assault targeted residential areas with ruthless precision, hitting:
- A nine-story apartment building that burst into flames
- Private homes reduced to rubble
- A university campus
- Civilian businesses engulfed in fire
Hour By Hour Horror
The massive attack unfolded between 3:30 am and 5:00 am local time, according to Spartak Borisenko, head of the Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office.
It is known about the use of more than 50 UAVs of the Geran-2 type, four guided aerial bombs and one missile,” Borisenko stated, detailing the overwhelming arsenal deployed against the sleeping city.
Aerial glide bombs – particularly terrifying weapons that fly over long distances after being released by planes – were among the deadly ordnance used, adding a new dimension of horror to the assault.
Putin’s Promised Revenge
The timing of the attack was no coincidence. It came just days after Ukraine’s bold “Operation Spiderweb” – an audacious drone assault that destroyed or damaged 34% of Russia’s strategic nuclear-capable bomber fleet at airfields as far away as Siberia.
In a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Putin had explicitly warned that Moscow would have to respond to Ukraine’s attacks on Russian military warplanes.
The Kremlin made good on that threat with devastating effect, launching what Russia’s Defense Ministry called a “huge strike on military and military-related targets” – though the reality on the ground showed civilian areas bearing the brunt of the assault.
City Under Siege
Dramatic social media posts from residents painted a picture of a city under siege:
Maria Avdeeva posted on X: “Kharkiv in flames. More than 50 explosions in just two hours. Russia launched 48 Shahed drones, 4 glide bombs, and 2 missiles — one of the heaviest attacks on the city. Three killed. And again – residential building under attack.”
Ukrainian journalist Denys Kazansky shared haunting images, writing: “Night of Russian terror in Kharkiv. Russian soldiers attacked residential buildings with drones, missiles, bombs. At least 3 people were killed and dozens were wounded. Russian authorities call it ‘concern for the Russian-speaking population.’
Rescue Efforts Amid Ruins
As dawn broke over the devastated city, emergency crews worked frantically to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as:
- Firefighters battled blazes in apartment buildings from the 6th to 9th floors
- Rescue workers reported people trapped under rubble
- Volunteers and medical teams rushed injured civilians, including children, to hospitals
- Residents picked through the debris of their destroyed homes
Not An Isolated Attack
The Kharkiv assault was part of a wider campaign of terror across Ukraine. The same night saw:
- A couple killed in the southern port city of Kherson when Russian shelling hit high-rise buildings
- Two women aged 45 and 88 injured in the central Dnipropetrovsk region
- A woman in her 20s found dead in Lutsk, near the Polish border, from Friday’s strikes
- Overall, at least five people killed and dozens wounded across multiple regions
International Implications
The massive escalation comes at a critical time as:
- Peace negotiations in Istanbul have failed to broker any ceasefire
- Ukraine continues pushing for an unconditional 30-day truce
- Russia repeatedly rejects calls for any pause in fighting
- President Trump faces pressure to respond after Putin ignored his appeals
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha pointedly noted that Moscow had “responded” to Ukraine’s destruction of Russian aircraft by “once again attacking civilians in Ukraine.
‘Most Powerful Attack’ – What It Means
Military analysts described the assault as unprecedented in several ways:
- The sheer volume of weapons deployed simultaneously
- The coordination of different weapon systems (drones, missiles, glide bombs)
- The sustained duration of the attack over 90 minutes
- The focus on terrorizing civilian populations
One analyst from the Center for European Policy Analysis told Newsweek: “The fear isn’t just about escalation; it’s about survival. That’s why people continue to take cautious but determined steps, like using shelters and supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
A City That Won’t Break
Despite facing what its mayor called the most powerful attack since Russia’s full-scale invasion began over three years ago, Kharkiv’s spirit remains unbroken.
The city of 1.4 million people, Ukraine’s second-largest, has endured near-daily attacks due to its proximity to the Russian border. Yet residents continue to defy Putin’s attempts to terrorize them into submission.
As one survivor told reporters while standing in the ruins of her apartment: “They want us to give up. But we’re still here. We’re still standing.”
What Happens Next?
With Putin making good on his threats of retaliation and showing no signs of backing down, the question becomes: how much more can Ukraine’s cities endure?
The attack on Kharkiv represents a dangerous escalation that could spiral further as:
- Ukraine vows to continue striking Russian military targets
- Russia promises more “responses” to Ukrainian attacks
- The international community struggles to find leverage for peace
- Civilian populations pay the ultimate price
As dawn broke over Kharkiv’s smoking ruins on Saturday, one thing was clear: Putin’s war of terror against Ukraine’s cities shows no sign of ending, and the “most powerful attack” may not be the last.
The images of injured children being rushed to hospitals and families searching through rubble for loved ones serve as a stark reminder that in this war, it’s innocent civilians who bear the heaviest burden of Putin’s revenge.
