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Missile attack devastates Kharkiv residential building
Two civilians, including a three-year-old boy, died and 28 others were wounded when Russian missiles struck a multi-storey apartment block in Ukraine's second-largest city on Friday afternoon, local officials reported.
Casualties and rescue efforts
Kharkiv authorities confirmed the recovery of a woman and a young child from the rubble; initial findings suggest they were mother and son. Among the injured are a six-month-old infant and 16 others who required hospital treatment.
Over 80 volunteers are assisting in the ongoing search-and-rescue operation, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.
Russia denies responsibility
The Russian Defence Ministry rejected claims of an attack, asserting that no missile or aircraft strikes were conducted in Kharkiv. It attributed the explosion to Ukrainian ammunition detonating and cited pre-strike footage showing "heavy smoke of unknown origin."
Moscow also accused Kyiv of attempting to divert attention from a New Year's Eve drone strike on a hotel in Russian-occupied Kherson, which reportedly killed 27 people and injured more than 30. Neither claim has been independently verified by the BBC.
Ukraine condemns attack ahead of peace talks
President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the strike as "heinous" in a post on X, stating, "Unfortunately, this is how the Russians treat life and people-they continue killing, despite all efforts by the world, and especially by the United States, in the diplomatic process."
The attack precedes high-stakes discussions in Kyiv on Saturday, where representatives from approximately 15 countries, the EU, and NATO are expected to participate. A U.S. delegation will join via video link. Leaders of the so-called "coalition of the willing" are scheduled to convene in France on January 6.
International responses and investigations
Ukraine's government declined to comment on claims from occupied regions, reiterating its adherence to international humanitarian law and its focus on military targets only.
Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a probe into the incident, while the Russian foreign ministry accused Zelensky of attempting to "intimidate the populations of the reunited Russian regions," referencing referendums held in 2022.
