Edith Hejberg
In a statement on X, President Zelensky condemned the assault: “There is no justification for a drone attack on a kindergarten, and there never can be.
A Russian drone attack struck a kindergarten in Kharkiv overnight, killing one man and injuring seven others. Ukrainian officials confirmed the assault was part of a wider offensive on multiple Ukrainian cities, targeting both civilian and infrastructure sites.
Children safe after swift evacuation
Despite the devastating impact, no children were harmed in the blast. Teachers quickly moved around 50 children to the basement shelters, where rescue teams later ensured their safety.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed all had been evacuated.
Zelensky: “No justification for a drone attack on a kindergarten”
In a statement on X, President Zelensky condemned the assault: “There is no justification for a drone attack on a kindergarten, and there never can be.
Russia is clearly becoming more and more emboldened.” He added that many of the children were suffering from acute stress reactions.
“Bandits and terrorists can only be put in their place by force”
Zelensky’s message continued with a harsh rebuke of Russia’s tactics: “These attacks are a slap in the face by Russia to all those who insist on a peaceful solution.
Bandits and terrorists can only be put in their place by force.”
Shahed drones used in the attack
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed that three Shahed drones were used in the strike. The second floor of the kindergarten collapsed, and a nearby office building sustained heavy damage.
A large fire broke out but was later extinguished by emergency crews.
Firefighters among the injured
Of the seven people injured in the drone attack, five were emergency service personnel who responded to the scene.
The only fatality was a man in his 40s, though his identity has not yet been released.
Photos from the scene show destruction
Images circulating online show the extent of the damage to the kindergarten, including the collapsed upper floor, charred walls, and scattered debris.
Emergency crews can be seen working amidst the wreckage.
More Russian missile strikes overnight
Elsewhere, Russian missiles targeted several districts of Kyiv during the same overnight barrage.
According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, fires broke out across multiple areas, shattering windows and damaging vehicles with flying debris.
Ukraine retaliates with missile strike in Russia
In response, Ukraine launched Storm Shadow missiles, supplied by the UK, at a chemical plant on Russian territory. Kyiv Post reports that four people were killed, including two children, in the retaliatory strike.
Escalating violence fuels international concern
The intensified attacks on both sides have raised fresh concerns among global observers.
Civilian infrastructure continues to be at the centre of the conflict, making diplomatic solutions increasingly elusive.
Zelensky visits Sweden for arms deal
Amid the escalating violence, Zelensky arrived in Sweden on October 22 to finalise an arms export agreement.
The Swedish government confirmed the deal in a public statement, though specific details remain under wraps.
Attack highlights growing danger to children
Though no children were killed or physically harmed in Kharkiv, the attack underscores the increasing risk to young civilians in Ukraine.
Emergency responders emphasised the psychological toll on the evacuated children.
Global condemnation likely to follow
As images of the destroyed kindergarten spread across media platforms, further international condemnation of Russia’s tactics is expected.
Humanitarian organisations have repeatedly called for the protection of schools and children in armed conflict zones.
This article is made and published by Edith Hejberg, which may have used AI in the preparation
