In a devastating incident, a Russian attack unfolded in the village of Hroza in northeastern Ukraine, claiming the lives of at least 49 people, including a six-year-old boy. The attack occurred during a memorial service in a local cafe, where residents from the small village had gathered, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

The strike, which took place in the Kharkiv region, targeted a cafe and a shop early in the afternoon, as confirmed by regional governor Oleh Synehubov. The village of Hroza, with a population of about 330 people, witnessed the horrifying event, leaving many civilians in shock.

“From every family, from every household, there were people present at this commemoration. This is a terrible tragedy,” expressed Klymenko during an interview with Ukrainian television. Seven individuals were hospitalised as a result of the attack, marking one of the most devastating Russian strikes on a residential area in recent weeks.

Rescue workers were quick to respond, navigating through smouldering rubble to search for survivors. Disturbing images captured the aftermath, with bodies lying alongside debris and rescue teams carrying away covered remains.

As the community grapples with the profound loss, questions surround the nature of the attack. Klymenko emphasised that it was not immediately clear whether Russian forces, present in Ukraine for 19 months since the invasion, had shelled the village or launched a missile. Describing the strike as highly targeted, he announced that Ukrainian security services had initiated an investigation to uncover the details surrounding this tragic incident.