The Russian military launched a large-scale air assault on Ukraine throughout Saturday night, resulting in at least 11 deaths in the city of Kharkiv, including two children. President Zelensky called on allies to urgently send additional air defense weapons after severe damage to energy infrastructure and railways left millions of people without electricity and heating.
Ukraine revealed that Russia initiated a major air attack with drones and missiles overnight Saturday (7 Mar), damaging key infrastructure and killing at least 11 people in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, including two children.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the attack targeted energy infrastructure and rail systems across the country. He urged international allies to respond to what he called a “cruel attack on people’s lives” and emphasized Ukraine's ongoing need for additional air defense systems and weapons.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov disclosed that Russian ballistic missiles struck a five-story residential building, killing at least 11 people and injuring 15 others. At least 19 residential buildings were damaged.
The governor of Kharkiv region reported that the attack also damaged commercial and government buildings, power lines, and numerous vehicles. Rescue teams continue searching for survivors and bodies beneath the rubble. Additionally, regional prosecutors reported two more deaths from a drone strike near a post office in a village close to the Russian border.
The Ukrainian Air Force said its air defense systems intercepted 453 drones and 19 missiles, but nine missiles and 26 attack drones managed to strike 22 targets nationwide.
In Kyiv, three people were injured and heating systems in over 2,800 residential buildings across four districts of the capital were disrupted after energy infrastructure was hit. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s national electricity grid operator declared emergency power cuts in seven regions to maintain grid stability.
Ukrainian officials also revealed that Russia attacked at least four railway stations in central Ukraine, as well as rail infrastructure and ports in the southern Odesa region. The attacks caused fires in oilseed container storage and damaged grain warehouses.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense stated that the attacks targeted military industrial plants, military airports, and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
.sourceReuters