The number of people killed in Russian airstrikes in a
recreation area just outside Kharkiv has risen to five, and at least 16 are injured. 

Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov gave update on Telegram, saying: “The explosions heard in Kharkiv around noon occurred in
a nearby suburb. 

“Two Russian missiles hit a recreation centre
where people were relaxing, killing five people and injuring
sixteen others.” 

Yaroslav Trofimko, an inspector with the local police department, said there “never any soldiers here”.

“It was a Sunday, people
were supposed to be here to rest, children were supposed to he
here, pregnant women, resting, enjoying a normal way of life.” 

He arrived on the scene after the first blast, and was there
when the second strike hit the same scene around 20 minutes
later.

Ukraine has frequently accused Russia of using “double tap”
strikes to kill or injure emergency workers at the scene of
strike impacts. 

Kharkiv’s governor Oleh Syniehubov earlier said a paramedic was among those injured.