Russians shell Merefa, Kharkiv region: six dead and 16 wounded in Russian attack

The Russian shelling of Merefa, Kharkiv region on May 4 killed four people, and another 16 people were wounded in their own homes. The attack on the residential sector caused large-scale destruction of private property and commercial facilities in the city.

This was reported by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.

According to preliminary information, four people were killed as a result of the Russian attack. Another 16 civilians were injured to varying degrees; currently, doctors are providing the victims with all the necessary emergency assistance. In addition to human losses, significant material damage was recorded. In particular, the following were hit by fire: 10 private residential buildings; four commercial establishments (shops); a service station; two civilian cars.

Svyrydenko thanked the rescue and emergency services for the prompt elimination of the consequences of the shelling. She stressed that such actions by the Russians are a targeted pressure on the civilian population of Ukraine.

“This is a deliberate tactic of Russia – to intimidate, exhaust and kill civilians. Such terror cannot be left unanswered,” the official said.

According to Svyrydenko, to stop such attacks, it is necessary to consolidate the efforts of international partners and further strengthen the protection of Ukrainian skies.

As of 12:00, five people were already known to have died as a result of the strike: three women and two men.

“Unfortunately, five people died as a result of this shelling: men aged 50 and 63 and women aged 74, 41 and 52. My sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased,” said the head of the regional military administration, Oleg Synegubov.

The number of injured has increased to 19. According to the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, three of the wounded are in serious condition, 13 people received moderate blast injuries; doctors diagnosed two of the injured with acute stress reactions.

As of 15:45, according to the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, six people were killed and 36 others were injured as a result of the Russian attack on the city of Merefa, Kharkiv region, on May 4. Three days of mourning have been declared in the Merefa community for those killed in the Russian strike – from May 5 to 7. During these days, the Ukrainian flag with a mourning ribbon will be lowered on the buildings of local government bodies and enterprises. Entertainment events and music in trade and catering establishments have been banned throughout the community.