A renewed wave of Russian attacks has struck Kharkiv, Ukraine, leading to significant casualties. On Saturday, at least five people were killed in a series of assaults on the city, which is located near the Russian border. The attacks were preceded by a large-scale aerial assault the previous night. Mayor Igor Terekhov stated that Kharkiv experienced “at least 40 explosions” during the early morning. These attacks are seen as potential retaliation for a Ukrainian drone operation that damaged Russian cruise missile carriers. According to Terekhov, the city is facing the most intense attacks since the beginning of the full-scale war, with missiles, drones, and guided aerial bombs being used. Video from emergency services showed a significant fire in an apartment block, and a residential house was also hit. A second round of attacks using glide bombs also resulted in further fatalities and injuries, with the target being a children’s playground. President Volodymyr Zelensky has denounced the attacks, calling them an act of “pure terrorism.”