Kharkiv struck by missiles after Ukraine launches mass drone attack on Russia

(Reuters)

KYIV, Sept 1 – At least 47 people, including five children, were injured on Sunday after Russian missiles struck a shopping mall and events complex in Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv, officials said.

Earlier in the day, Russia said Kyiv had launched one of the biggest drone attacks against it since the full-scale war began, targeting power plants and an oil refinery, while Moscow’s forces made further gains towards a key town in eastern Ukraine.

The Kharkiv attack prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to renew calls on allies to allow Kyiv to fire Western-supplied missiles deeper into enemy territory and reduce the military threat posed by Russia.

The fighting comes at a critical juncture in the two-and-a-half year conflict. Russia is pressing an offensive in eastern Ukraine while trying to expel Ukrainian forces that broke through its western border in a surprise incursion on Aug. 6.

Last week, Russia pounded Ukraine with its heaviest airstrikes of the war, hitting targets including energy facilities.

Moscow, which denies targeting civilians, says damaging Ukraine’s energy system is a legitimate military goal. Its drone and missile barrages have killed thousands of civilians since the conflict began in February 2022.

Ukraine, with a rapidly expanding domestic drone industry, has stepped up its own attacks on Russian energy, military and transport infrastructure.