At least seven people were killed and 20 others injured after a Russian drone strike struck a residential building in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.

Local officials confirmed that emergency services rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the rubble as rescuers battled fires caused by the attack. Witnesses described the blast as one of the deadliest strikes in recent weeks, leaving families trapped inside their homes.

Kharkiv, located near the Russian border, has been a frequent target throughout the ongoing war. The city’s mayor condemned the strike, calling it a deliberate assault on civilians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also denounced the attack, vowing that “every loss of innocent life will not go unanswered.”

The incident adds to the growing toll of civilian casualties as Russia intensifies its aerial campaign against Ukraine. International leaders are expected to renew calls for stronger defense support to help Ukraine shield its cities from future strikes.