Oleg Sinegubov, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, along with Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, and Serhiy Bolvinov, the head of the Kharkiv Region Police Investigative Department, confirmed the casualties and the ongoing rescue operations.
The State Emergency Service is also involved in the response efforts.
"The occupiers have once again hit one of Kharkiv's districts. There may be people under the rubble. All specialized services are working on the spot," stated the officials.
The incident followed reports by Mayor Terekhov of an explosion in the city, suggesting an immediate and violent attack.
In an update, Mayor Terekhov revealed that the strike had resulted in casualties, with efforts underway to determine the extent of the injuries and address a significant fire caused by the attack. Rescue workers and volunteers are actively engaged in providing aid and extinguishing the blaze.
At 2:06 p.m., Terekhov reported that five victims were known.
"Two have already been hospitalized, the rest are being examined by doctors and the issue of referral to the hospital is being decided. However, the search work continues, as does the extinguishing of the fire," Terekhov stated.
Further updates from the police clarified the toll of the assault: three lives lost and five individuals wounded.
"Around one o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy shelled the city: an eight-story building and a production shop in the Kholodnohirsky district were damaged. The fire covered more than 1,000 square meters. An ordinary printing house, a shop for the production of furniture and paint products," the police reported.
The statement continued, "Among the wounded are employees of the enterprise, two of them are in serious condition. The rescue operation and fire extinguishing is ongoing. Unfortunately, the number of victims and victims may be higher."
The information is being clarified.
