Chilling video footage has captured the aftermath of a Ukrainian nursery being targeted by devastating drone strikes ordered by Vladimir Putin. Terrified children were witnessed screaming and crying as they were evacuated from the havoc caused by a series of strikes at a pre-school in Kharkiv. Tragically, one person lost their life, and seven others sustained injuries.
The video shows fire officials urgently carrying the traumatized children to safety. Luckily, all 48 children were successfully evacuated following the strikes that occurred on Wednesday morning. Amid the Russian onslaught, an adult male was found deceased, and seven individuals were wounded.
Heart-wrenching images revealed severe damage to the nursery, with the roof collapsed, whiteboards ripped from walls, shattered glass littering the floor, and children’s desks amid piles of charred debris. Thick smoke could be seen billowing from the damaged building.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as a direct affront to peace-seekers, attributing the responsibility to “bandits and terrorists” under Putin’s command. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed the direct hit on the kindergarten, leading to a fire outbreak.
Zelensky took to social media to announce the safe relocation of all children to shelters, although they were displaying signs of acute stress. He strongly criticized the drone strike on the kindergarten, labeling it as an audacious move by Russia against peaceful resolutions.
The incident occurred shortly before Donald Trump authorized Ukraine to utilize specific long-range missiles from Western allies, following the collapse of a planned meeting with Putin. This decision allowed Kyiv to target deep within Russia, increasing pressure on the Kremlin, as stated by US officials.
Ukrainian forces reported firing British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles at a chemical plant in Russia’s Bryansk region, describing it as a successful strike. The plant was identified as a key producer of materials used in weaponry employed against Ukraine.
The missile attack coincided with a pledge by PM Keir Starmer and other European leaders to escalate economic and defense industry pressure on Russia until Putin agrees to pursue peace negotiations.