A devastating Russian strike on a building materials hypermarket in Kharkiv on May 25 has resulted in the deaths of 12 people and injuries to 43 others, according to the regional prosecutor's office.

The attack, which occurred during the weekend, saw two Russian guided bombs hitting the hypermarket, igniting a fire that engulfed 15,000 square meters. Governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed the details in a Telegram post, noting that two individuals were killed instantly. The identities of ten of the victims remain unknown as of the morning of May 26.

Ukraine's Internal Affairs Minister, Ihor Klymenko, condemned the attack, stating: "Russia deliberately hit a civilian object in the middle of the weekend." President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on social media that over 200 people might have been inside the hypermarket at the time of the bombing.

The horror continued mere hours later when Russian forces launched a second strike on Kharkiv's city center, injuring at least 25 people. These attacks are part of a broader offensive initiated by Russia on May 10 in northern Kharkiv Oblast, involving an estimated 30,000 troops.

President Zelensky revealed that Russian forces have advanced up to 10 kilometers (6 miles) into the region but have been stalled by Ukraine's first line of defense. Kharkiv Oblast has been a frequent target of Russian ground shelling and aerial attacks, with local authorities also reporting instances of civilian executions by Russian troops.

The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as the conflict in Ukraine intensifies, with ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the violence. (ILKHA)