Two Killed, Dozens Wounded in Russian Attack on Ukrainian Supermarket
A devastating attack on a supermarket in the northern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has left at least two people dead and 35 others wounded. Russian forces reportedly hit the Epicentr K home improvement store with two glide bombs, causing a large fire to engulf the building on the outskirts of the city.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed shock at the attack, stating that over 200 people could have been inside the supermarket at the time of the bombing. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov described the incident as “pure terrorism” and noted that a significant number of people were still missing.
President Zelensky condemned the strike as an act of “Russian madness,” blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for the violence. A second strike in central Kharkiv later injured eight more people, further escalating tensions in the region.
The attack highlights the vulnerability of Ukraine’s air defenses and the urgent need for support from Western allies. President Zelensky reiterated the country’s need for air defense systems to protect against future attacks.
In response to the escalating conflict, G7 finance ministers have proposed using profits from frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s war effort. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressed broad support for the idea, which would involve using frozen assets as collateral for a $50 billion loan to Kyiv.
Russia has threatened retaliation against the proposed financial measures, signaling a potential escalation in the conflict. The use of glide bombs in the attack on Kharkiv underscores Moscow’s growing confidence and aggressive tactics in the region.
As Ukraine continues to await further weapons from Western allies, the country remains vulnerable to further attacks from Russian forces. The use of cheap but destructive glide bombs has proven to be a significant threat, with thousands dropped on the country in recent months.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine, with concerns growing over the escalating violence and the need for a swift resolution to the conflict.
