Russia Condemned Over Kharkiv Strike That Killed 52

Facts

• Russia has faced wide condemnation for a missile strike which hit the village of Hroza in the northeastern Kharkiv region on Thursday.¹
• Initial reports suggested that 51 civilians were killed in the attack. On Friday, the figure was revised to 52 after an additional person died in hospital.²
• Ukrainian officials said that people were attending a wake at a café when the missile hit. A grocery store was also reportedly struck. At the time, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy was attending a summit of roughly 50 European leaders in the Spanish city of Granada. He denounced the strike as a 'demonstrably brutal Russian crime' and 'a completely deliberate act of terrorism.'³
• The attack was also condemned by officials from the US, UK, and Germany, as well as top officials from the EU.¹
• Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, called the strike 'horrifying' and said it demonstrated why the US is doing everything it can 'to help the brave people of Ukraine to fight for their freedom, to fight for their democracy.'³
• Additionally, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the strike 'demonstrated the depths of depravity Russian forces are willing to sink to,' according to a Downing Street spokesperson.¹

Sources: ¹Guardian, ²Ukrainska pravda and ³Associated Press.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Guardian. This horrifying attack, which took place as civilians were going about their ordinary business, is yet another illustration of Russia's depravity. The incident vividly demonstrates why the West must continue to support Ukraine.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by Tass. Russia has repeatedly said that it does not target civilians. All strikes by Moscow forces are directed at military targets, including military warehouses, fuel depots, and training facilities.

Predictions