Russian strikes on Kharkiv kill four, damage historic UNESCO site

Four people have been killed and multiple injured following Russian missile strikes on Kharkiv that also damaged the iconic Derzhprom building, an architectural heritage site under UNESCO protection, according to local authorities.

People look at damage after a Russian strike on the Derzhprom building in downtown Kharkiv, Ukraine, 28 October 2024, amid the Russian invasion. According to Governor Oleh Syniehubov, at least six people were injured after the attack. Built in 1928 in the constructivist style, the Derzhprom building in downtown Kharkiv is one of the city's symbols.

EPA/STR

The regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov, confirmed the strikes included an FAB-500 bomb around 9 p.m. local time on Monday. The explosion damaged the Derzhprom, the Soviet Union's first skyscraper and a hallmark of constructivist architecture.

Kharkiv’s mayor later reported a second strike early on Tuesday, which raised the death toll to four. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted about the incident on social media, describing the attack on Derzhprom as a deliberate attempt to destroy Ukraine's cultural heritage.

A Russian air strike severely damaged the Derzhprom in Kharkiv, one of the world's most famous constructivist buildings under provisional enhanced UNESCO protection.

In Kryvyi Rih, a Russian missile struck a residential building, causing a fire. Many other Ukrainian cities and… pic.twitter.com/OfWnTAEtze

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 28, 2024

In his post, Zelenskyy added, “Attempts to appease Moscow have only emboldened [Russian President] Putin. Instead of cozying up to him, we must force him into peace through our collective decisiveness.”

The attacks also impacted other parts of Ukraine. In Kryvyi Rih, a missile strike on a residential building left one dead and at least 11 injured, according to Reuters. One of those injured in Kharkiv was a police officer on duty, and nearby administrative buildings and a medical facility were also damaged.

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Source: PAP