Ukraine's Iconic Derzhprom Building Hit by Russian Strike

In a sudden and destructive attack, Russia hit Ukraine's historic Derzhprom building in Kharkiv with a guided bomb on Monday night. This iconic structure, built in the 1920s, is a celebrated landmark and a prime example of Soviet-era constructivist architecture. The strike left six people injured, adding to the 13 already hurt from an earlier bombing. In a separate incident, a Russian missile struck a residential building in Kryvyi Rih, killing one person and wounding 11 others. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike on Derzhprom, expressing his disgust at the damage to the cultural heritage. He also mentioned the attack on his hometown, Kryvyi Rih, and urged the international community to step up efforts to end the war, which has been raging for over two and a half years. Zelensky’s message was clear: giving in to Vladimir Putin only emboldens him. Instead, firm action is needed to bring about peace.The Derzhprom building, once the capital of Soviet Ukraine, was almost reduced to rubble. Video footage showed extensive destruction, with most of its windows shattered. The governor of Kharkiv, Oleh Syniehubov, noted that several floors were destroyed and that the building is a symbol of the city known to all its residents. Moreover, the attack also damaged a medical facility and caused harm to nearby structures. The evening's destruction is a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict's toll on Ukraine's cultural and historical sites. The Derzhprom building, though listed as a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site, is now marred by the violence. This incident highlights the urgent need for measures to protect such landmarks amidst war.