Another Terror Attack: Russia Strikes a Café-Shop in a Ukrainian Village near Kupiansk - 51 Dead, Including a 6-Year-Old Child

On October 5th, around 13:25 local time, Russian occupying forces launched an attack on the village of Hroza in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. According to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, 49 people were killed, including a six-year-old child, and at least 7 people were reported injured.

[Updates 1: Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs has reported that as of 18:50, the number of casualties from Russia's missile attack on the village of Hroza has risen to 50. Preliminarily, the attack involved the use of an "Iskander" missile]

[Updates 2:  According to Ukraine's State Emergency Service, as of 19:50, following Russia's missile attack, emergency rescue operations in the Ukrainian village of Hroza, Kupiansk district, have been completed. A total of 51 individuals lost their lives in the incident, including a six-year-old child]

Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, stated that approximately 60 people were present at the site of the attack. Among the 50 casualties, 29 have been identified, and those with severe injuries are currently receiving medical treatment. The village had a total population of 330 residents (according to media reports, there were around 500 residents in total). According to Ukrainian law enforcement reports, people had gathered for a memorial lunch at one of the café-shops in the village when a Russian missile struck the building.

"This is a shockingly cruel Russian crime - a missile strike on an ordinary grocery store, a deliberate act of terrorism. Kupiansk district in Kharkiv region. At this time, we know about more than 48 fatalities. My condolences to all who have lost their loved ones! Assistance is being provided to the wounded," President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky wrote in his Telegram channel. He is currently on a working visit to Spain, where he is negotiating with allies regarding the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

Under the procedural guidance of the Kupiansk District Prosecutor's Office in the Kharkiv region, a pre-trial investigation has been launched into the violation of laws and customs of war, combined with intentional homicide (part 2 of article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

"Russian terror must be stopped. Anyone who helps Russia evade sanctions is a criminal. Anyone who still supports Russia supports evil. These and similar attacks are needed by Russia only for one purpose: to make its genocidal aggression a new norm for the entire world. I thank every leader and every nation that supports us in defending life! We are currently discussing with European leaders, among other things, the strengthening of our air defense, the strengthening of our soldiers, and providing our country with protection against terror. And we will respond to terrorists. Absolutely fairly. And powerfully," said Volodymyr Zelensky.

A rescue operation is currently ongoing, involving 150 police officers, 75 employees of the State Emergency Service, and 60 medical professionals on site.