A six year Ukrainian girl killed by Russian attack!

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'The worst day of war' in Kharkov through the eyes of five residents

"It's so unreal, I can't believe that I have to hide from bombs in Europe in the 21st century," said Alexander Miasoiedov. The 29-year-old software developer lives in the center of Kharkov and works there for a Dutch company. His city, the second largest in Ukraine, is currently the fiercest of the fighting.

Dozens of people have been killed as a result of rocket attacks by the Russian army, according to the Ukrainian government. Nieuwsuur speaks to five residents of the city.

'I hear explosions all the time'

"The situation on the street is very scary, it's very chaotic," Sarah says. She is originally from Syria. "This is not the first war in our lives."

Her brother is hiding at her house. "We have a shelter under my house. So he stays with me. My mother said: I have had two children, I want to keep two."



Russia says it only wants to eliminate military targets, but in Kharkov the army also seems to be deliberately attacking civilian targets. Rockets hit suburban flats. "In recent days, sometimes a rocket accidentally flew into a house, today it was clearly a deliberate bombing of the city," says Alexander. He has a bag ready in case he has to flee to a bomb shelter.

Since the Russian invasion began last Thursday, the violence has intensified every day, he says. "More bombs every day, every day is worse than the last. When we called friends yesterday morning, it turned out that there were enemy troops in the city, on the street. There were many Russian soldiers with vehicles and tanks."

The city is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis.
Maria Avdeeva

Russian troops came close to the neighborhood where Maria Avdeeva, director of a think tank, lives. "We were not allowed to go outside because there was a special operation against the Russians. Soldiers captured some and managed to expel the rest."

Today Maria took to the streets with a group of journalists. "On the way we heard impacts nearby. There was no bomb shelter so we just had to wait. We saw a clothing factory completely destroyed by artillery fire."

Maria fears for what is to come in the coming days. "The city is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis."

Alexander is a bit more optimistic. "The Russians will not control Kharkiv in the coming days." He thinks the Ukrainian army is holding out. Due to health problems, he did not have to fight until now. "But if I have to defend my country, I will do it. I am very grateful to our brave army, and the West for all their support and for accepting refugees, our mothers, women and children."

Source: nos.nl/nieuwsuur/artikel/2419309-de-ergste-oorlogsdag-in-charkov-door-de-ogen-van-vijf-bewoners

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