Russia’s military operations continue to kill in eastern Ukraine. The center of Kharkiv, the country’s second city, was bombarded by the Russian army on Tuesday morning, March 1, announced on Telegram the governor of the region, Oleg Sinegoubov. “The Russian occupier continues to use heavy weapons once morest the civilian population”he wrote, posting footage of a huge explosion in the city’s central square, Liberty Square, where the local government headquarters are located.
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Ukrainian rescuers reported at midday at least ten dead in the bombardment of the city center. “At least ten people were killed, more than twenty injured. Rescuers and volunteers rescued ten people from the rubble, according to a preliminary count”said the Ukrainian emergency service, broadcasting images of rescuers coming out of the victims of the rubble of a building.
“This is the price of freedom today”
During his address to the European Parliament on Tuesday noon, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, mentioned this bombardment and denounced “a war crime” perpetrated by the Russian army: “In Kharkiv, there is Freedom Square, the largest in Europe [l’une des plus grandes en réalité]. This morning, two missiles fell on this square, dozens of people were killed. This is the price of freedom today.”
Russia still denies hitting non-military targets. About 1.4 million people ordinarily live in Kharkiv, a largely Russian-speaking city on the border with Russia. It has been targeted by Russian forces since the start of the assault launched on February 24 on the orders of Vladimir Putin. Local authorities said on Monday they had postponed a “breakthrough” Russian ground troops.
Fighting also took place on Monday in Okhtyrka, regarding 100 kilometers northwest of Kharkiv. These clashes would have killed “regarding 70 Ukrainian fighters” but also many Russians, according to local authorities. Asked by AFP, the Ukrainian army did not confirm this assessment.
400 kilometers away, the city of Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov, is without electricity following a Russian offensive. The leader of the pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin, explained that the objective was to encircle this strategic city during the day. “Mariupol and Volnovakha are ours! The two cities are under enemy pressure but they are holding on”however, said Pavlo Kirilenko, governor of the Donetsk region, on his Facebook page.
