Zelenskyy: Russia's brutal attack on Kharkiv was made possible by Ukraine's ban on striking Russian territory

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the Russian strike on Kharkiv, which resulted in human casualties and numerous destructions.

"The Russian attack against Kharkiv and Liubotyn is extremely brutal – according to preliminary data, 15 missiles were fired at once. Unfortunately, there are dead and injured. Emergency services are already at the scene, and each victim will be provided with the necessary assistance," said  Zelenskyy.

The Ukrainian President stressed that such attacks became possible because Ukraine still lacks the necessary air defence systems and a reliable ability to destroy Russian launchers where they are located – near the Ukrainian border.

"Terror must lose everywhere – under any conditions, on any continent. And this is our common duty – of everyone in the world who has the ability to protect life from terror. Ukraine is doing everything it can. I am grateful to everyone who helps us. But we need more determination. And it is from world leaders," Zelensky wrote on his Telegram channel.

The number of victims of the Russian shelling of Kharkiv has risen to seven, Ukraine's Interior Ministry reports.

This information is confirmed by the head of the Kharkiv regional administration, Oleg Sinegubov. The photos he posted show the Vivat book publishing house, one of Ukraine's most famous, destroyed by a missile strike.

Meanwhile, Ukrzaliznytsia reported that Russian strikes had hit civilian railway infrastructure in Kharkiv.