In the early morning of January 23rd, 2024, the residents of Kharkiv, Ukraine, woke to the sound of the raid alarm signaling the arrival of a brutal assault by Russian forces. The attack involved the launching of 41 missiles into the city, resulting in overall damage throughout Kharkiv. After the two and a half hour assault, a trail of destruction remained as five different neighborhoods suddenly transformed into rubble, debris littering the streets, and fire starting up in multiple locations across the city.
The violence of the strike left 18 civilians deceased and 130 others wounded after Russia
launched 41 missiles into Kharkiv, further deepening the ongoing Russia v. Ukraine conflict which reaches its two year mark since the Russian invasion on February 24th, 2022, the invasion began due to Putin, “protecting the people” and claimed Russians, “had been facing humiliation and genocide”. Over the course of almost two years, the ongoing battle devastated the country with widespread destruction for years now as Russia and Ukraine continuously fought against each other.
As the conflict continues, recovery efforts have begun as Kharkiv grapples with the
unexpected attack. Police, firefighters, and emergency workers are overworking as they rescue and treat injured civilians trapped beneath the rubble as well as putting fires out from further damaging Kharkiv. Although it helps the wounded, there is no certainty about when, or how, a full recovery might unfold as the war continues to disrupt the daily lives of the civilians as the country strives to rebuild their homes and lives with a backdrop of violence.
