5 killed as Russian guided bombs strike civilian areas in Kharkiv, Ukraine

Russian forces struck the Slobidskyi district of Kharkiv with guided aerial bombs in the middle of the day on October 5, 2026, killing five people and injuring 53 others, among them three children, Ukrainian police and regional authorities reported.

According to the National Police of Ukraine, the attack damaged and destroyed warehouse facilities, multi-story and private residential buildings, a vehicle service station (STO), and numerous cars. Emergency services responded at the impact sites, providing medical assistance to all those affected. Law enforcement officers are documenting the consequences of what they describe as a war crime and collecting physical evidence.

Investigators have opened criminal proceedings under Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code (war crimes).

Regional Military Administration head Oleh Synehubov reported that the injured include an 11-year-old girl in serious condition, a 15-year-old boy in moderate condition, and a 15-year-old girl who suffered an acute stress reaction. The strikes affected dozens of residential buildings across several locations, a civilian enterprise, and at least 20 vehicles, with fires covering nearly 15,000 square meters. Search-and-rescue operations continued as authorities worked to clear rubble, including at a sewing workshop where additional victims were later found.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed the rising death toll, noting that bodies of two more victims were recovered from under the debris of the sewing shop, bringing the total number of fatalities to five.

The attack occurred around midday to early afternoon local time. Ukrainian officials continue to assess the full extent of the damage and casualties.