Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has been a frequent target of aerial attacks throughout Russia’s war against Ukraine, which has been ongoing for the past three years. Recently, a glide bomb struck a five-storey apartment block in Kharkiv, injuring at least 12 people, including a three-year-old girl. The bomb ignited blazes between the third and fourth floors of the building, causing chaos and destruction.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the urgent need for increased support from Ukraine’s Western allies after the latest attack in Kharkiv. Glide bombs have become a common weapon in the war, launched from Russian aircraft inside Russia, making them difficult to counter. Zelenskyy recently met with officials in the United States to ensure further Western military support to combat these deadly attacks.
The use of glide bombs has terrorised civilians and severely damaged the Ukrainian army’s front-line defenses. These bombs were a key weapon in Russia’s capture of the town of Vuhledar, where Russian forces wreaked destruction on the eastern Donetsk region. Ukrainian troops have been forced to withdraw from obliterated towns and villages, struggling to hold back Russia’s relentless assaults.
Since Ukraine’s failed counteroffensive late last year, Russia has had the battlefield initiative, putting Ukraine in a critical manpower problem on the front lines. Efforts to hold back Russia’s grinding assaults have been challenging, leading to significant destruction and casualties. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has brought devastation to many areas, with Kharkiv being a prime target for these aerial attacks due to its proximity to the Russian border.
As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, the need for increased support from Western allies has become more urgent. President Zelenskyy’s plea for further military assistance to combat glide bombs and other deadly weapons used by the Russian forces is a crucial step in protecting Ukrainian civilians and troops. The ongoing conflict has taken a heavy toll on Ukraine, with destruction and casualties mounting as Russia continues its relentless assaults on various regions in the country.
Despite the challenges faced by Ukraine in holding back Russian forces, efforts are being made to strengthen defenses and seek support from allies. The use of glide bombs as a common weapon in the war has intensified the need for effective countermeasures and increased military assistance. The recent attack in Kharkiv serves as a stark reminder of the violence and destruction that has plagued Ukraine for the past three years, underscoring the importance of international support in bringing an end to the conflict and restoring peace to the region.