Russian forces have launched a heavy bombardment of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, an assault that overshadowed the first direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials since President Vladimir Putin began his invasion five days ago.
Residents of the city said they had come under intense artillery and rocket fire from Russian positions. Video footage shared on social media showed high-rise apartment blocks in Kharkiv being hit by heavy shelling that shrouded the sky with plumes of dark smoke.
“Dozens of civilians are dying,” said regional governor Oleh Sinegubov. “It’s happening during the day when people go to pharmacies, for food, for drinking water. This is a crime.”
Having seen the pictures we didn’t use for this story, what is happening right now in Kharkiv is horrible.
Russia launches fierce rocket attack on Ukrainian city of Kharkiv via @FT
https://t.co/JnMcPVstkq— Alice Ross (@aliceemross) February 28, 2022