Russia kills 10 in missile strike on Kharkiv building, identification of body fragments continues

Search and rescue operations have been completed at the residential building in Kharkiv hit by a Russian missile on Saturday: 10 people, including two children, were killed, identification of body fragments is still ongoing, and 4 people remain missing, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko has said.

In a Telegram channel post on Monday, the minister noted that search and rescue operations lasted over two days, with rescuers dismantling heavy concrete structures meter by meter.

"This was a deliberate strike. In the middle of the night, when dozens of families—residents of this five-story building—were asleep. Unfortunately, 10 people died, including 2 children: a 7-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl," the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasized.

According to him, body fragments were also retrieved from the rubble, and identification is still underway. The minister added that at least 16 people were injured in the attack, including 3 children.

"Cynologists with search dogs will continue to work even after the rescue operation is completed—according to reports, 4 people remain missing," he specified.

In total, Klymenko informed that the strike damaged about two dozen houses, cars, and an educational institution.

"Hundreds of specialists were involved in clearing the rubble and eliminating the consequences of the missile strike. Cynologists, climbers, an engineering unit, and SES teams from other regions worked. Our psychologists provided assistance to dozens of people," the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasized.

He noted that the work of rescuers was complicated by constant air raid alerts.

"On Saturday, the enemy targeted rescue groups again during their work. In Dnipro, 3 SES vehicles were destroyed, and 1 in Kharkiv. This morning in the Poltava region, enemy strikes damaged three more SES vehicles. Thanks to updated operational algorithms, the personnel, fortunately, were not injured," Klymenko added.