The number of people injured in a rocket attack on the city council building in Izium, Kharkiv region, has risen to 55, including a 6-year-old boy and girls aged 14 and 16. The 14-year-old girl is in serious condition, the others are in average condition. This was reported by the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleg Sinegubov, who noted that door-to-door visits are underway to assess the damage and provide assistance to residents.

The Russian military attacked the town on 4 February, striking a devastating blow to the administrative building. Commenting on the tragedy on Facebook, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and called on the international community to increase pressure on Russia.

“Izyum. The rescue operation continues after a Russian missile strike on the city. Part of the city council building was destroyed as a result of this strike,” the head of state wrote.

Zelenskyy stressed that the brutality of Russian attacks cannot be ignored: “We need to put pressure on Russia, use as much force as possible – the force of weapons, the force of sanctions, the force of diplomacy – to stop terror and protect lives.”

Meanwhile, local authorities are organising assistance to the victims. “We are currently conducting door-to-door visits to identify those who need temporary accommodation and windows to be sealed. We are preparing construction materials for the work,” said Sinegubov.

Rescuers continue to clear the rubble and provide assistance to the victims. The situation in Izyum remains tense.