AT least two people have been killed after two Russian S-300 missiles hit a Ukrainian retail park packed with hundreds of civilians.
Social media footage shows a massive black plume of smoke rising into the blue sky in Kharkiv as a construction hypermarket is engulfed by flames.
At least two people have died following an attack on a retail park in Kharkiv
X / @BohuslavskaKateShoppers were seen running for their lives as the building was engulfed by flames[/caption]
X / @BohuslavskaKateIt is understood that dozens of people are still trapped inside the shop[/caption]
The shop is said to be the equivalent to B&Q in the UK, containing dozens of flammable and chemical products inside.
It is located in a busy retail park which has a petrol station, supermarkets and even a McDonald’s.
Chemicals stored at the construction megastore are feared to have ignited when it was struck by Putin’s two S-300 missiles.
Reports say that at least two people have been killed in the strike on Saturday afternoon.
Witnesses told a Sun reporter on the scene there were 200 people inside the 10,000sqft construction hypermarket – and it is feared that no one has come out.
Ukrainian outlet Pravda reported on X: “Occupiers hit a construction hypermarket in Kharkiv.
“As of now, it is known about two dead and at least four wounded.”
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported explosions at 4.02pm local time, later confirming the city had been struck.
In a statement on Telegram, he said: “We have a large number of people missing. Many wounded.
“Judging by everything, the attack was aimed at the shopping centre, where there were many people – this is pure terrorism. “
Terekhov added that, based on early reports, Putin’s forces had hit a construction materials hypermarket.
He said: “We have information about the fatalities and injuries, but it needs to be confirmed.”
Posting pictures and clips of the massive blaze, one devastated user tweeted: “Kharkiv right now. This is heartbreaking.
“This is a construction store, it was full of people when Russia struck it. Russia is a terrorist state!”
Head of Kharkiv Oblast administration, Oleh Syniehubov, said the Russians had struck “civilian commercial infrastructure”, and a fire broke out.
Syniehubov previously revealed that Russian forces had struck the settlement of Kupiansk-Vuzlove with a guided aerial bomb.
At least five people were injured, with an ambulance and one civilian vehicle damaged, Pravda reports.
In a statement, President Zelensky slammed the “brutal blow” to Kharkiv.
He said: “As of now, it is known that more than 200 people could be in the hypermarket.
“All services are already on site providing assistance – rescuing people and extinguishing the fire, which completely engulfed the premises.”
The Ukrainian leader went on to make a desperate plea for help.
Zelensky said: “If Ukraine had enough air defence and modern combat aircraft, such Russian strikes would simply be impossible.
“And that is why we appeal to all leaders, to all states: we need a significant strengthening of air defence and sufficient capabilities to destroy Russian terrorists.
“A task that needs to be done and can only be done together with the world. Every day we appeal to the world: give us air defence, save people. Every support decision not taken is a loss of our people.”
The major blast comes shortly after Ukraine claimed Putin’s Russia reached a grim milestone after losing more than 500,000 soldiers in their failing war.
Kyiv said Moscow’s crumbling army has also lost some 22,000 tanks and armoured vehicles and nearly 700 aircraft since the invasion.
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