A village in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region was struck by a Russian missile attack on Tuesday, resulting in the death of 10 individuals, as confirmed by Ukrainian authorities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as brutal, targeting a busy area in Pechenihy that included a post office and stores surrounded by residential buildings. Zelenskyy vowed to retaliate against the Russian strike, which also left 17 people injured, according to the governor of the region, Oleh Syniehubov.
The assault caused significant damage, including 10 private buildings, a café, a post office, a store, and at least seven cars in the village. Initial reports from Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office suggested that Russia deployed two small Banderol cruise missiles in the attack. A local official indicated that the strikes primarily impacted the central part of the village, where key establishments such as the café, post office, and shops are situated.
In response, Ukraine launched a large-scale drone offensive, deploying 620 drones towards Moscow and its surroundings during the early hours of Tuesday. Moscow’s mayor reported that Russian forces intercepted 180 drones over the region, with emergency services attending crash sites. The drones targeted various facilities, including a warehouse of the Russian e-commerce company Wildberries, causing minor damage and injuries.
Several regions under Russian control, including Crimea, experienced heavy drone attacks from Ukraine. Krymenergo, the main power supplier in Crimea, reported that southern districts faced drone attacks, resulting in power outages in several settlements. Moreover, Russia issued a warning to Britain regarding the supply of drones to Ukraine for attacks on Russian territory, emphasizing potential consequences for such actions.
Despite the Russian embassy’s statement suggesting British involvement in the conflict, Britain’s Defence Ministry did not confirm the use of British drones. The ministry reiterated its support for Ukraine and commitment to providing necessary equipment for defense. Earlier, Britain had pledged to deliver 150,000 drones to Ukraine by the end of 2026 as part of a significant funding package.