Conflict & Security
Kharkiv strike kills 10, wounds 18, Ukraine says
A strike on Pechenigy in northeast Ukraine's Kharkiv region killed 10 people and wounded 18, Ukrainian officials said Tuesday, blaming Russian forces.
Kharkiv regional governor Oleg Synegubov said Russian forces carried out a rocket strike on the village, about 40 kilometres from the Russian border. He said the death toll was based on preliminary information.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strike hit a busy intersection with a post office and stores, surrounded by residential buildings. He said Ukraine would respond and called on partners to put pressure on Russia and support Ukraine.
An AFP journalist at the site saw bodies of victims covered with emergency blankets as rescuers worked among destroyed buildings, smouldering rubble and burned-out cars.
Yana Chelombytko, a local resident and cafe owner, said she heard a whistle just before the strike and that her cafe was destroyed.
Parts of Kharkiv region are occupied by Russian forces and the region has been hit repeatedly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The United Nations says more civilians have been killed in the war in recent months than in any period since the start of the invasion.
Update
Kharkiv regional governor Oleg Synegubov said 18 people were wounded, up from 17 in the published story.
An AFP journalist at the site saw bodies covered with emergency blankets, destroyed buildings, smouldering rubble and burned-out cars.
Local cafe owner Yana Chelombytko said her cafe was destroyed and described hearing a whistle before the strike.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 15:11:40 UTC.
Update
Ukrainian officials now say 17 people were wounded, up from eight in the earlier published story.
Volodymyr Zelensky said the strike hit a busy intersection with a post office and stores, surrounded by residential buildings.
Ukrainian emergency services posted images showing rescuers, destroyed buildings, smouldering rubble and burned cars.
Zelensky said Ukraine would respond and called for partner pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 08:28:29 UTC.
Update
Kharkiv regional governor Oleg Synegubov said eight people were wounded.
Synegubov said the strike damaged private houses and shops.
The item adds United Nations context that more civilians have been killed in recent months than in any period since the start of Russia's invasion.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 07:19:40 UTC.
Update
Kharkiv regional governor Oleg Synegubov identified the location as Pechenigy.
Synegubov said Russian forces carried out a rocket strike.
The governor said the toll was based on preliminary information.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 07:01:35 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The death toll was described by the regional governor as preliminary.
Source
AFP news report published on .