Russian missile strikes hit two Kharkiv districts, destroying apartment building entrance and injuring 11
On the evening of 12 October, Russian missile strikes hit the Kholodnohirskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts of Kharkiv, destroying an entire entrance of a four-story residential building and injuring 11 people, including a hospitalized rescuer. Firefighting and rescue operations are ongoing, with reports that people may remain trapped under the rubble.
Key points
- Russian forces struck the Kholodnohirskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts of Kharkiv on the evening of 12 October.
- One missile hit a four-story residential building, completely destroying one entrance (stairwell).
- The number of people injured rose to 11, up from an earlier figure of 8.
- A rescuer was injured during the response and hospitalized.
- Firefighting and rescue operations are ongoing; people may remain trapped under rubble.
- Destruction and fires were also recorded at other addresses in the city.
- The information was reported by the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine.
Why it matters
The strike directly damaged civilian housing in a major Ukrainian city, destroying an entire entrance of an apartment building and producing multiple injuries, including among emergency responders. The rising casualty count — from 8 to 11 as rescue work continues — and the possibility of people still trapped under rubble mean the final toll has yet to be determined.
What happened
On the evening of 12 October, Russian forces carried out missile strikes on the Kholodnohirskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts of Kharkiv. One missile hit a four-story residential building, completely destroying one entrance. Firefighting and emergency rescue operations were launched at the site, with reports that people may be trapped under the rubble. The number of people injured rose to 11, up from an initial 8. A rescuer working at the scene was injured and hospitalized. Destruction and fires were also recorded at other addresses in the city. The State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine reported the information, with SES units, pyrotechnicians, dog handlers, National Police, medics, volunteers, and municipal services working at the impact sites. SES psychologists were also providing assistance to those affected.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Both Ukrainian sources — Ukrinform and Ukrainska Pravda — center their coverage on the civilian harm inflicted on Kharkiv, emphasizing the destruction of residential housing and the rising casualty toll. The reporting highlights the multi-agency emergency response — SES, police, medics, volunteers, and municipal services — as well as the injury of a rescuer, underscoring the scale of the operation and the risks faced by those responding to the strike.
Background
Kharkiv has been a frequent target of Russian missile strikes throughout the full-scale war, with its residential districts repeatedly hit. The State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine coordinates firefighting, rescue, pyrotechnic, and psychological support operations at impact sites, often working alongside police, medics, volunteers, and municipal services.