Title: Russian Attack on Ukrainian Village Leaves Dozens Dead, President Zelenskiy Calls it a “Deliberate Strike”
Date: October 5, 2023
Location: Hroza Village, Kharkiv Region, Ukraine
On Thursday, a devastating Russian missile attack targeting a cafe and grocery store in Hroza village, northeastern Ukraine, has left at least 51 people dead, including a six-year-old boy. The incident occurred during a gathering to mourn a fallen Ukrainian soldier, making it an attack on innocent civilians, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
President Zelenskiy strongly condemned the attack, stating that it was not a blind strike and that Russian troops must have been aware of their targets. Zelenskiy made these remarks while attending a summit of the European Political Community in Spain. Meanwhile, Moscow has not made any immediate comments regarding the incident.
Large piles of debris, including bricks, shattered metal, and building materials, remain at the site where the cafe and shop stood before being hit. This attack is reportedly the deadliest in Kharkiv region since Russia’s invasion over 19 months ago and represents one of the highest civilian death tolls in a single Russian strike.
Regional police have confirmed a death toll of 51, with six individuals injured and three still missing. The victims included mourners who had gathered at the cafe following a service for a fallen soldier from the village. Families had chosen to remain in the village, despite wartime orders to evacuate.
Rescue workers have been tirelessly searching through the rubble, recovering bodies that have been laid out in a field adjacent to a children’s playground. Some bodies have been placed in white body bags and taken away, while others remain uncovered or partially covered by carpets and materials.
“It’s difficult to talk about this, but we only found bits and pieces and remains of the bodies,” said regional police investigator Serhiy Bolvinov. “We’ll use DNA laboratories to identify the bodies.”
The attack took place during the reburial service of the fallen soldier in his home village. Residents of Hroza village expressed their shock and grief, with one resident, Oleksandr Mukhovatyi, stating that his mother, brother, and sister-in-law were among the victims. Mukhovatyi revealed that the attack seemed precisely targeted and landed directly at the coffee shop.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that local officials, who were sitting down for a meal, were also caught in the missile strike. Klymenko labeled the incident a terrible tragedy and stated that an investigation by Ukrainian security services is underway. Preliminary information suggests that the missile used in the attack was an Iskander ballistic missile.
Defence Minister Rustem Umerov has called the attack a heinous crime aimed at instilling fear among Ukrainians. He highlighted that there were no military targets at the location and emphasized that the attack was deliberately carried out during lunchtime to maximize casualties.
Russia’s frequent air strikes since the start of the invasion have caused substantial devastation. In response, Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive in the south and east, gradually making progress, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The tragic events in Hroza village have once again underscored the urgent need for increased air defenses. President Zelenskiy has called for further discussions on this issue during the summit in Spain, as Ukraine seeks to enhance its defense capabilities against Russian aggression.