Russian drones struck homes in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, early this morning. Five people died, including rescuers who were struck by a second attack after arriving at the scene of one of the attacks, local authorities said, as quoted by Reuters.
Mayor Igor Terekhov said on the social network "Telegram" that four people died at the scene of one of the attacks, and at least three of them were employees of the emergency and rescue services, who were killed after they arrived at the place of the impact, after which, however, a new one followed. Five people were injured, BTA said.
According to the regional governor Oleg Sinegubov, the city was subjected to at least four attacks, and added that the top floors of a residential block were damaged. Three people are in hospital, one of whom is in serious condition, he said.
Terekhov said that one of the strikes caused a fire, and part of another building collapsed.
Exported data cannot be independently verified.
Kharkov is a frequent target of Russian missile and drone attacks, notes Reuters.
Last week, Russian forces dropped an aerial bomb over the city, killing one person. A rocket attack earlier this month on an industrial area killed five people.
Terekhov said that in some parts of the city, power outages are possible. Russia has stepped up its attacks on energy and other infrastructure in recent weeks.