A Russian airstrike has hit a playground in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, killing a 14-year-old girl, according to local officials.
More than five other people were killed and dozens injured in the attacks, which also hit a residential building in the town near the Russian border.
Footage showed flames and thick black smoke billowing from the top of the building as firefighters pulled people to safety.
Responding, President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed calls to all foreign partners of Ukraine to allow them to attack targets in Russia to prevent such attacks.
The attacks came just hours before Zelensky fired the head of his air force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, is about 35 km from the Russian border and has been frequently targeted by Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Regional governor Oleg Sinegubov said on Telegram that more than 59 people were injured, including 20 seriously and some requiring amputation.
Nine children were also injured in the attacks, he added.
Zelensky said Russia had targeted “ordinary” people and that the attacks could have been avoided if Ukraine “had the ability to destroy Russian military aircraft at its bases”.
“This is an absolutely legitimate need. There is no rational reason to limit Ukraine’s defence,” he said.
Western allies of Ukraine have refused in part to allow the use of their weapons to attack Russian territory for fear of an escalation of the conflict.
The UK has given permission for the use of most of the equipment it has supplied Ukraine to attack Russia, keeping an exception for long-range Storm Shadow missiles.
In May, the United States permitted Ukraine to strike targets in Russia, but only near the Kharkiv region and only to retaliate against Russian forces striking or preparing to strike.
It continues to refuse permission to strike further into Russian territory. “We need long-range capabilities and full implementation of air defense agreements for Ukraine.” “These are life-saving measures,” Zelensky said.
In her reaction to Friday’s attacks, the US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, said: “Our thoughts are with the people of Kharkiv as rescue operations are underway.
“Russia must be held accountable for these war crimes.”
Source: BBC News
