Russian Missile Hits Merefa, Kharkiv Region: Five Dead, Civilian Damage Reported
Missile Attack Details and Aftermath
Overview of the Attack
May 4 (Reuters) - A Russian missile attack on the town of Merefa, in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, killed five people and wounded several others, Ukrainian officials said on Monday.
Extent of Damage
Infrastructure and Property Damage
Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said that at least 10 houses, an administrative building, four shops, a car repair workshop and a food establishment were damaged in the attack.
Attack on Civilian Infrastructure
"Today during the day, the occupiers attacked civilian infrastructure of a town quite far from the front with a missile," he said on Telegram.
Casualties and Injuries
Fatalities and Wounded
He said that two men and three women had been killed and 18 others wounded, including four taken to hospital in serious condition.
Type of Weapon Used
Regional prosecutors said Russian forces appeared to have used an Iskander-type ballistic missile.
Emergency Response
Scenes from the Aftermath
Emergency services posted photos of a building with a damaged roof and blown out windows, a firefighter extinguishing a burning car, and rescuers attending to a woman lying on the ground with her face and hands covered in blood.
Reactions and Context
Russian and Ukrainian Statements
There was no immediate comment from Russia. Moscow has denied intentionally targeting civilians during the war although its attacks have killed thousands of them since it invaded at full scale in February 2022.
Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Targets
Ukraine has also hit civilian targets in Russia or Russian-occupied areas, though on a far smaller scale.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka; Editing by Alex Richardson and Kevin Liffey)
