Russians destroying Kharkiv: 18-year-old artist among victims

Russia is relentlessly targeting Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city in the northeast, with a systematic campaign of drone attacks, bombings, and missile strikes. These assaults, launched indiscriminately from Russian territory, have resulted in civilian casualties and significant damage to infrastructure.

On August 30, Russian forces hit Kharkiv with guided bombs, one of which struck an apartment building. The attack resulted in explosions at four different locations. Six people were killed and nearly 100 others sustained injuries, local authorities report.

One of the victims was 18-year-old artist Nika Kozushko, who was talking on the phone with a friend at the time of the attack. “Today, during the attack on Kharkiv, Nika Kozushko was killed – very young, sincere, and talented. An hour before her death, she sent her new drawing. That is, her last drawing,” wrote the well-known Ukrainian writer, musician, and Ukrainian defender Serhiy Zhadan.

On August 31, residential buildings in Kharkiv suffered damage from guided bomb impacts. The following day, September 1, the occupiers intensified their attacks, launching approximately 10 strikes on the city, which led to 29 people being injured. “There is damage to civilian infrastructure and casualties. Among the wounded are two medics, with one doctor in critical condition,” wrote Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Region Military Administration. Two children are also in critical condition.

“Among the damaged infrastructure due to enemy strikes are a shopping center, a sports facility, and residential buildings,” local authorities reported.

“Occupiers treacherously struck places where hundreds of Kharkiv residents are present every day, in broad daylight,” local authorities emphasize. The attacks continue both day and night. The weaponry used by Russia to attack the city is quite difficult to intercept due to the close proximity to the border with Russia and the complexity of these aerial targets, as previously explained by Ukraine’s Air Force.