UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Sep. 16 — On Sep. 16, at 10:53 a.m., Russian troops launched a drone, presumably a Geran-2, at the Slobidskyi district of central Kharkiv. The drone directly hit the roof of an educational institution, injuring four people.
Gwara Media journalists worked on the impact site to document the consequences of the Russian attack on Kharkiv.
Oleh Syneihubov, the governor of Kharkiv region, reported that the Russian attack injured three women, 51, 52, and 54 years old, and an 89-year-old man.
The mayor, Ihor Terekhov, told Gwara that the explosions really scared locals because they saw the moment when the building was hit. There is a large market nearby with lots of people working or shopping there.
The damaged building is a historical monument of local significance, and has a protection number: “In other words, we have (another) case of damaged object that is protected by Ukrainian law,” said Viktor Dvornikov, a Kharkiv architect, to Ukrainian media Suspilne.
The building belongs to one of Kharkiv’s higher education institutions, where future pharmacists study.
“This is a historic building, very beautiful, as you can see. There was no teaching going on there at the moment, because today, all students are forced to study online,” said Terehov. All universities in Kharkiv have run online classes since Feb. 22 because of the threats of the Russian attacks.
Oleksandr Kukhtenko, the deputy head for scientific and pedagogical work of the university, toldGwara Media that a Russian drone pierced the roof of the building and caused significant damage to its second floor.
“It will take us a long time to repair it, and there are many questions regarding finances,” noted Kukhtenko.
During the national telethon, Terekhov noted that the city government will help repair the damage caused by the drone attack.
Kukhtenko said that one of the injured people is a woman who worked at the university. She suffered an acute stress reaction.
He also said that only employees were present in the university. All of them evacuated to the first floor in time, so no one suffered serious injuries.
Valeriia Chyrina, spokesperson for the regional Prosecutor’s office, said that law enforcement is investigating whether the drone was jet-powered.
Later, Chyrina told Gwara that prosecutors have not recorded Russian jet drones in Kharkiv or Kharkiv region.
Earlier, Terekhov said that over the past week, there were no Russian attacks on Kharkiv and warned everyone to be very careful and listen to air raid sirens.
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