KYIV, Ukraine — A Russian drone strike killed two women and a toddler in a Ukrainian village early Wednesday, local officials confirmed, marking another deadly attack on civilians amid the ongoing war.
The strike hit a residential area in the Kharkiv region, destroying a home and injuring at least one other person, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. Emergency responders recovered the bodies from the rubble, with photos from the scene showing destroyed buildings and debris.
“This is yet another war crime by Russian forces targeting innocent civilians,” a Ukrainian military spokesperson told reporters. Moscow has not commented on the incident.
The attack comes as Ukraine faces intensified aerial assaults, with Russian forces increasingly relying on Iranian-made Shahed drones to bypass air defenses. Analysts suggest the strikes aim to demoralize civilians and disrupt infrastructure ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.
UN data shows over 10,000 civilian deaths since Russia’s 2022 invasion, though actual figures are likely higher. Western officials warn of further escalation as both sides prepare for spring campaigns.