United Nations and the European Union have criticized the terrorist attack in the village of Hroza, Kupyansk district, which killed 52 people.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said that the Russian attack on the café is a war crime:

“Intentional attacks on civilians are war crimes. The Russian leadership, all commanders, perpetrators and accomplices of these atrocities will be brought to justice. There will be no impunity for war crimes.”

Denise Brown, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, expressed her condolences to the Ukrainians.

“I am outraged by reports of a Russian strike that nearly destroyed the village of Hroza in Kharkiv region, killing dozens of civilians. The pictures coming in from the village, which was home to just over 300 people, are horrifying. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, who have once again witnessed the brutal consequences of the Russian Federation’s invasion,” she said in a statement.

At around 1:25 p.m. on October 5, the Russian military shelled a café and a shop in the village of Hroza, Kupiansk district. In total, 330 people lived in the village. At least one person from each household attended the funeral, said Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Thirty-five bodies were identified. DNA examinations will be conducted to identify unidentified persons, the press service of the Kharkiv regional police reported.

According to preliminary data, an Iskander-M missile struck Hroza village, where about 60 people stayed. People had gathered at the café for a memorial lunch in connection with the reburial of a fallen Ukrainian soldier.

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Constant missile attacks and empty streets: how Kupyansk lives on the front line. This city in Kharkiv Oblast is 10-15 km/ 6–9 miles from the front line and 40 km/ 25 miles from the border with Russia. The city was severely damaged at the beginning of the full-scale invasion and during the battle for its liberation in September 2022. Today, it is constantly under fire from Russian aviation, MLRS and S-300 systems.