Russian forces attack Kharkiv with glide bombs, killing 1, injuring at least 20

UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Jul. 7 —  At around 2:33 p.m., four Russian glide bombs struck Kharkiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district, killing one person, injuring 20 more, including five children, Spartak Borysenko, head of the department for combating crimes committed in the context of armed conflict at the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, told Gwara.

“There was a family with a child in the car. Fortunately, they managed to escape from the vehicle before it completely burned down,” Borysenko said, pointing to a damaged car on the road.

Damaged car where the family was present at the moment of the Russian glide bomb attack on Jul. 7 / Photo: Gwara Media, Mia Kliushnikova

Authorities recorded four impact sites after the attack: one on a roadway and three at local businesses, mostly car service centers, reported Gwara’s journalists from the scene.

The consequences of the Russian attack on Kharkiv on Jul. 7, 2026 / Photo: Gwara Media, Mia Kluishnikova

Petro had brought his car to Oleksandr, Petro’s son and the worker at one of the service centers, for routine repairs. Now, the vehicle is beyond repair. The blast wave blew out its windows and severely damaged the roof and wheel arches. The airbags deployed immediately after the explosion.

The consequences of the Russian attack on Kharkiv on Jul. 7, 2026 / Photo: Gwara Media, Mia Kluishnikova

“Only the shell of the car is left. It’s completely destroyed inside,” Petro said.

Oleksandr was working at the service center when the Russian bomb struck nearby. He told Gwara journalists that the center’s buildings were mostly damaged by shrapnel.

“I can even give you a piece,” he demonstrated a chunk of concrete that had fallen from a damaged building.

The consequences of the Russian attack on Kharkiv on Jul. 7, 2026 / Photo: Gwara Media, Mia Kluishnikova

Russia renewed its attacks on Kharkiv this summer. According to the Telegram channel of Ihor Terekhov, the city’s mayor, Russia launched nearly 11 glide bomb attacks at the city since Jun. 1.

On Jun. 23, Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of the region, said that Ukrainian intelligence expects more glide bomb attacks on Ukraine. 

Read more 

• Ukrainian missiles attack Russia’s Belgorod airport, energy facilities, causing blackout in region 

This summer, Russia bombs Kharkiv as much as it can, and our newsroom keeps working despite it all. If you want to support us amidst it all, please consider buying us a $5 coffee or subscribing to our community long-term.