Hroza, Ukraine (Xeeis) — In an appalling incident in Hroza, Ukraine, a Russian missile strike targeted a village that had no military targets, according to a senior Ukrainian police official. This attack, one of the deadliest against civilians since the conflict began, was denounced as “inhuman” and “deliberate” by Ukraine’s president.
The Russian forces reportedly struck a cafe and a shop in Hroza, near the eastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, using a powerful Iskander ballistic missile. The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 52 people, including a 6-year-old boy.
Images from the aftermath of the strike depicted emergency workers navigating through extensive rubble, showcasing the level of devastation, which had not been seen since a Russian attack on a railway station in Kramatorsk in early 2022, claiming over 60 lives.
The death toll in Hroza, a small community of 330 people, meant that one in every six residents was tragically killed. Ukrainian authorities confirmed that all the victims were local civilians, emphasizing that there were no military targets or vehicles in the vicinity.
Sergey Bolvinov, the chief investigator with Kharkiv’s regional police, stated that 35 victims had been identified thus far. He expressed confidence that this evidence would be crucial in holding the responsible Russian military personnel accountable, as the attack was being investigated as a violation of the laws and customs of war.
As of the latest update, the number of injured individuals remained at six, as reported by Oleh Syniehubov, the head of Kharkiv region’s military administration.
Unfortunately, fresh Russian strikes on the city of Kharkiv occurred, leading to the tragic death of one child, whose body was found under the rubble of a residential building. These strikes were described as targeting civilian infrastructure by Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov. Two apartment buildings were damaged, and at least 16 people were injured, including an 11-month-old baby. The child who died was 10 years old.
The missile strike in Hroza occurred while dozens of residents had gathered at a cafe to mourn the death of a local Ukrainian soldier. The soldier had previously been buried in the city of Dnipro, but his relatives wanted him to be reburied in his hometown, which led to the tragic loss of several members of his family.
The Iskander missile used in the attack is known for its significant destructive power, and its impact left the building in Hroza completely destroyed, leading to chaos and devastating consequences.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his call for increased air defenses from allies, emphasizing the urgent need for support, particularly in preparation for anticipated winter bombardments. Zelensky emphasized the importance of unity and believing in freedom to counter Russian terror.
During meetings with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Granada, Spain, Zelensky discussed Ukraine’s need for air defense and expressed optimism about progress being made in securing the necessary support. Spain pledged to provide six Hawk systems, and Germany committed to working on providing Kyiv with another Patriot system, which is considered capable of countering such threats and massacres.
In response to the tragedy, the White House called on Congress to approve additional U.S. aid for Ukraine, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The plea comes amid political challenges in Congress and dwindling ammunition stocks among NATO countries, which could impact the flow of military aid to Kyiv.
Hroza is situated approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the front lines of the conflict near Kupiansk. This city in Kharkiv was initially seized by Russian forces early in the war but was liberated by Ukrainian forces a year ago. Kyiv regards the city as strategically important to prevent Russia from accessing the nearby Oskil River, where crossing is more accessible than further south.