Video reveals chaos before deadly Russian strike on Kharkiv hypermarket
12:19 PM EDT, May 26, 2024
The head of the Investigative Department of the National Security Service in the Kharkiv region, Serhii Bolvinov, shared a recording from the Epicenter hypermarket. The video shows the moment just before the Russian bombs hit. "It is obvious that people were completely unprepared for such an attack," wrote the head of the Ukrainian services.
On Saturday, the target of the Russian attack was a construction hypermarket in Kharkiv. At the time of the shelling, approximately 200 people could have been in the hypermarket, Volodymyr Zelensky conveyed on social media. He added that if the Ukrainian forces had sufficient air defense resources, such attacks would be impossible.
"Therefore, we appeal to all leaders, to all countries: we need significant strengthening of air defense and sufficient capabilities to destroy Russian terrorists," wrote Zelensky. "Every day, we call on the world to provide us with air defense and save our people. Every unmade decision to support us results in the loss of our people," he added.
Services reveal footage from inside the store
The police released the video from the Epicenter hypermarket in Kharkiv, showing people inside and the moment of the Russian bombs' impact.
"The bodies of seven more victims have not yet been found, and relatives and colleagues are looking for them. They are considered missing. Similar to those whose remains we have already found, but we are still working on DNA..." informs Serhii Bolvinov, head of the Investigative Department of the National Security Service in the Kharkiv region.
"The moment of impact can be seen on the video, which investigators are currently working on. Obviously, people were completely unprepared for such an attack; they were at their workplaces and attending to their matters. Now we are analyzing every minute of camera footage," the statement continues.
The number of fatalities from Saturday's Russian attack on the Epicenter construction hypermarket in Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine, has risen to 14, local authorities reported on Sunday. At least 25 people were injured, including a 14-year-old boy.
