Horrifying video footage has captured the aftermath of a devastating drone attack by Vladimir Putin on a Ukrainian nursery. Terrified children were witnessed screaming and crying as they were evacuated from the destruction caused by a series of strikes at a preschool in Kharkiv. Tragically, one person lost their life, and seven others sustained injuries during the incident.
The footage shows fire officials rushing through the streets, carrying the traumatized children to safety. Fortunately, all 48 children were successfully evacuated following the strikes that took place on Wednesday morning. Amid the Russian assault, an adult male was found deceased, while seven others were injured.
Heart-wrenching images revealed the nursery’s roof completely collapsed, whiteboards pierced through the walls, shattered glass scattered across the floor, and children’s desks amidst charred debris. Thick plumes of acrid smoke were visible billowing from the damaged structure.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as a blatant disregard for peace efforts, attributing the responsibility to “bandits and terrorists” under Putin’s command. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed the direct hit on the kindergarten, resulting in a fire outbreak.
Zelensky took to social media to announce the successful relocation of all children to shelters, although they displayed signs of acute stress. He emphasized the unjustifiability of targeting a kindergarten with drone strikes, denouncing Russia’s escalating aggression.
The attack occurred shortly before Donald Trump authorized Ukraine to utilize specific long-range missiles provided by Western allies, following the breakdown of a planned meeting with Putin. This decision empowered Kyiv to target areas deep within Russia, intensifying pressure on the Kremlin, as per US officials.
Ukrainian forces deployed British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike a chemical plant in Russia’s Bryansk region, a move hailed as a success by the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. The plant was identified as a key producer of materials used in enemy ammunition and missiles targeting Ukraine.
The missile strike transpired after a sudden shift in the approval process for attacks, transferring the authority from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to General Alexus Grynkewich, the top US general in Europe and NATO commander, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The missile attack coincided with a pledge by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European leaders to escalate economic and defense industry pressure on Russia until Putin demonstrates willingness to engage in peace negotiations.