Russian missile strike in Kharkiv kills toddler and woman

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TURKEY — JAN. 3, 2026

A Russian missile strike leveled a five-story apartment building in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Friday, killing at least two people, including a three-year-old boy, and injuring nearly two dozen others.

Local officials reported that rescue teams pulled the toddler's body from the debris of the collapsed structure shortly after the attack. The strike, which devastated a residential neighborhood, has drawn sharp condemnation from Ukrainian leadership as search and rescue operations continue for potential survivors trapped under the concrete.

Casualties and rescue operations

Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed that in addition to the young boy, the body of a woman was also recovered from the rubble. The attack left at least 19 people injured, including a six-month-old infant. Officials stated that 16 of the wounded have been hospitalized for treatment.

The missile strike caused extensive damage beyond the apartment complex, destroying vehicles and damaging a nearby shopping center and other civil infrastructure.

"According to our information, there may be more people under the rubble. The elimination of the consequences is ongoing," Syniehubov said. "Everyone is working on the ground. The main thing right now is to save as many people as possible."

Emergency service personnel work to extinguish a fire following a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Photo: AP Photo/Andrii Marienko)

Zelenskyy condemns 'abominable' attack

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy described the attack as "abominable" in a statement posted on social media platform X. He highlighted the timing of the strike amid ongoing international diplomatic efforts.

"Unfortunately, this is how Russians treat life and people. They continue to kill despite all the efforts of the world and especially the United States in the diplomatic process," Zelenskiy stated.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry denied responsibility for the destruction. In a statement on Telegram, Moscow claimed the damage was caused by an explosion of Ukrainian ammunition, a common counter-narrative presented by the Kremlin following civilian casualty incidents.

Drone strikes in Zaporizhzhia

The attack on Kharkiv coincided with a significant aerial assault in the south. Early Friday, Russia launched what local officials described as one of the "largest" drone attacks on the city of Zaporizhzhia.

According to Ivan Fedorov, the regional administration head, at least nine unmanned aerial vehicles struck the city. While the drones damaged multiple residential buildings and civil infrastructure, no casualties were reported in that specific wave of attacks.

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