Destroyed gazebos and mutilated bodies under the rubble are the result of yet another Russian attack on civilians. On the morning of May 19, Russian forces carried out double strikes on a recreation area in the suburbs of Kharkiv using Iskander‑M missiles. One of the targets was a recreation center in the village of Cherkaska Lozova, where around fifty people were present.
As a result of the attack, 11 people were killed and 27 were injured. Among those killed was a woman who was seven months pregnant. Among the wounded were an eight‑year‑old child, a paramedic, and two police officers. A dog and a fisherman also did not survive the attack.
Ten minutes after medics and State Emergency Service rescuers arrived at the scene, the Russians struck again.
“The Russians hit the site twice — once more using the tactic of ‘double strikes’, which is aimed at killing civilians, medics, and rescuers,” said Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration.
The Head of the Investigative Department of the Kharkiv Police, Serhii Bolvinov, emphasized that the invaders struck an ordinary beach area with gazebos for leisure — there were no military targets there. He stressed that the victims of the Russians were women and children who had simply gone out into nature and came under enemy fire.
In addition, explosions were heard in Kharkiv city itself throughout the day. Russian forces shelled the central part of the city. Also on Sunday afternoon, Russians struck the Kupiansk district of the region. As a result: 5 killed and 9 injured, all civilians.
On Sunday evening, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in Kharkiv region.
“The world can stop Russian terror — for this, the lack of political will among leaders must be overcome. Two Patriot systems for Kharkiv would fundamentally change the situation. Air defense systems for other cities and sufficient support for our soldiers on the front lines would ensure the defeat of Russian terror,” he said.
Contributors to this material:
Researcher and author of the text: Vira Labych
Photo editor: Viacheslav Ratynskyi
Literary editor: Yuliia Futei
