Three children were among seven people killed in a Russian attack in northeastern Ukraine, officials said.
Major fires broke out after the drone strike in Kharkiv, with at least 15 homes and a petrol station among the sites reported to have been destroyed.
The regional prosecutor's office said on the Telegram app that the bodies of three children – ages four, seven and seven months – were found in one house alongside their mother and father.
A couple in their 60s died at another property and three people were injured at another, the Telegram post added.
The fires are believed to have started when one of the drones hit a gas station in the Nemshlyansky district of Kharkiv. UkraineSecond largest city – Friday night.
“There was a large amount of fuel, which is why there were such terrible consequences caused by the fire,” said Oleksandr Velchakov, head of the Prosecutor's Office.
Kharkiv Region Governor Oleh Sinyhopov posted videos and photos of burning buildings on Telegram.
He said that Iranian-made Shahed “suicide” aircraft were responsible for the attack, which occurred at around 10.45 p.m.
Fifty people are said to have been evacuated. Photo: Reuters
Firefighters carry the body of a victim. Photo: AP
Firefighters and rescue personnel worked throughout the night to put out the fires and search the wreckage, and 50 people were evacuated.
Sinyhopov added that drones also struck a restaurant in the town of Veliki Berlok, about 62 miles (100 kilometers) from Kharkiv, but no casualties were reported.
The Ukrainian Air Force said it shot down 23 of the 31 drones, which also targeted the southern Odessa region.
Odessa Region Governor Oleh Kiper said four people were injured there.
Photo: Reuters
Firefighters worked through the night in Kharkiv. Photo: Reuters
Russia has not commented, but has repeatedly said that it does not deliberately target civilians.
Kharkiv is located only about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) from the Russian border, and has been regularly targeted since the war began in February 2022.
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Romania also said so on Saturday Russia During the night, drones carried out drone attacks near its borders on the Ukrainian river ports of Rini and Izmail.
She added that an F-16 plane belonging to the Turkish Air Force took off from a Romanian base at around 1.15 a.m. to conduct “reconnaissance.”
Romania has found drone debris on its territory in the past while Russia is trying to disrupt Ukraine's ability to export grains and other products.
The latest attacks come after President Zelensky this week replaced the man in charge of the war effort in Ukraine.
National hero General Valery Zalozny has been swapped for Colonel General Oleksandr Sirsky – a move experts say It could harm troop morale and alarm Western allies.
