President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to launch attacks on Russian territory using US-supplied weapons, escalating the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Following this approval, Russia retaliated with airstrikes on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuring sixteen others.

The attack occurred on Friday morning (May 31), according to Oleg Sinegubov, the local governor of Kharkiv, who shared the details on Telegram. Among the injured was a health worker, and an ambulance was also damaged in the assault. Sinegubov noted that Russia has resumed its double-strike strategy, targeting the city twice in quick succession.

Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov added that many more people might be trapped under the rubble of residential buildings. He emphasized that the targeted areas contained no military installations or soldiers, implying that the strikes hit civilian infrastructure.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has frequently been targeted by Russian forces due to its proximity to the Russian border. The recent attack highlights the ongoing volatility in the region and the potential for further escalation as Ukraine continues to defend its territory with enhanced military support from the United States.