Ukraine war: civilians live in Kharkiv under constant fire – politics abroad

The Russian offensive on the east of the Ukraine has begun!

Russian troops continuously shelled the suburbs and residential areas in the north and east of the city Kharkiv (1.1 million inhabitants).

► Particularly hard hit by the attacks: the Saltivka residential area. Several dead and injured were reported during the night, but the shelling continued in the morning.

At the last checkpoint before Saltivka, a Ukrainian soldier warns the BILD reporters: “You can continue, but your protective vests will not help you there.” But while the BILD reporters are at least wearing helmets and vests, the residents of Saltivka are exposed to the murderous Russian attacks delivered defenseless.

In the north of the residential area there is a horrific picture: Not a soul can be seen, blocks of flats destroyed, trees torn down, and the remains of a Russian 9M22 rocket lie next to a children’s playground.

And again and again the muffled impacts of the rockets.

Then a car turns up, two men wanted to quickly get things from their apartments: “That’s my money tree, I need it,” says the passenger, who doesn’t want to give his name before they both drive on, away from the rockets.

People continue to live in southern Saltivka, such as computer specialist Sergei (41). He stands at a distribution point for food – which the Russian attackers prefer to fire on. “My family already lives in another place, but I take care of the apartment and our three cats.” His block of flats has already been hit by a rocket, but as long as it doesn’t hit his own apartment, he wants to stay, says Sergej.

► Olga (66) and her friend are also staying in Saltivka. “We’re afraid, rockets are constantly hitting us,” Olga says tearfully to BILD. “My parents live here, they are old and don’t want to leave, I’ll take care of them.” And she has a clear demand for the West: “Thank you for your help, but the Ukrainian army urgently needs offensive weapons to defend our country To defend!”

Why is Putin reaching for Kharkiv?

The second largest city in Ukraine is the country’s main heavy industrial center, with much of the defense industry located here. At the beginning of the war, Putin’s henchmen failed dramatically in front of Kharkiv, even though the city is only 30 kilometers from the Russian border.

The reason: The Russian ground forces advanced without significant artillery support, but were repulsed by the Ukrainian defenders.

Now the invaders are apparently using a new strategy: The residents and the Ukrainian positions are to be terrorized with heavy artillery and rocket attacks to be shot ready for a stormbefore ground forces advance.

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