By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News

 Deadly Attack Targets Residential Area, Escalates Calls for Broader Ukrainian Military Response

A 14 year old girl was killed when a Russian guided bomb struck a playground in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, local officials reported. The attack, which also hit a 12 storey residential building, resulted in the deaths of at least six other people and injured 59, including nine children. The city, located near the Russian border, has been a frequent target since Russia's full scale invasion in February 2022.

Images from the scene showed flames and thick black smoke pouring from the upper floors of the building as firefighters worked to rescue residents. President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his calls for Ukraine's international allies to permit strikes on targets inside Russia to prevent similar attacks. His office reported that over the past week, Moscow's forces had launched more than 400 drones and missiles at Ukraine.

The deadly strike occurred just hours before President Zelensky dismissed the head of Ukraine’s air force, Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk, a move yet to be fully explained.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city and located roughly 35km (22 miles) from the Russian border, has been a focal point of Russia's military operations. Regional Governor Oleh Sinehubov stated that 59 people were wounded, including 20 in serious condition, with some victims requiring amputations. Photos from the scene also revealed part of the building's outer wall had collapsed, with numerous vehicles outside engulfed in flames.

Governor Sinehubov said the missile strikes originated from Russia's Belgorod region, just across the border. "These strikes targeted areas that are purely residential with parks and large gatherings of civilians. This is a continuation of mass terror against our civilian population," he asserted.

President Zelensky condemned the targeting of "ordinary" civilians and argued that such attacks could be prevented if Ukraine had the means to strike Russian military bases. "There is no rational reason to limit Ukraine’s defence," he stated, emphasizing the need for the ability to destroy Russian military aircraft at their sources.

While Ukraine's Western allies have supplied extensive military support, they have imposed restrictions on using their weapons to strike Russian territory, fearing further escalation. The UK has allowed much of its supplied equipment to be used against Russia, with an exception for long range Storm Shadow missiles. In May, the US permitted strikes near the Kharkiv region but continues to limit actions deeper into Russian territory.

"We need long-range capabilities and the full implementation of air defence agreements for Ukraine. These are life-saving measures,” Zelensky stressed.

In response to the attack, US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink expressed condolences to the people of Kharkiv and emphasized the need for accountability for these acts of violence.

Earlier reports indicated that Western technology and finance have been instrumental in supporting Ukraine's long range drone strikes against Russian targets, including air force bases, oil and ammunition depots, and command centres.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported that Ukrainian strikes in the Belgorod region killed five people and wounded 37 others. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov accused Ukrainian forces of using "cluster munitions" in these attacks, escalating the already tense conflict between the two nations.