Kharkiv residents describe ‘pure horror’ after Russian attack on historic building
On Monday night, Russia launched a bombing on Kharkiv’s iconic Derzhprom building, a UNESCO-listed constructivist skyscraper and symbol of Ukrainian resilience. The attack injured nine and extensively damaged the structure, completed in 1928 when Kharkiv was the capital of Soviet Ukraine. The building, considered an architectural gem, has survived both World War II and Ukraine’s independence. Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, condemned the strike as cultural vandalism, comparing its severity to past wartime atrocities.
A Russian air strike severely damaged the Derzhprom in Kharkiv, one of the world's most famous constructivist buildings under provisional enhanced UNESCO protection.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 28, 2024
In Kryvyi Rih, a Russian missile struck a residential building, causing a fire. Many other Ukrainian cities and… pic.twitter.com/OfWnTAEtze
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the destructive impact of such attacks on both human lives and cultural heritage, indirectly criticizing recent diplomatic engagements with Russia. Kharkiv residents expressed profound horror over the bombing, with Viktoriia Grivina, a local writer, describing Derzhprom as an irreplaceable symbol of freedom for the city. Security expert Maria Avdeeva emphasized the building’s significance as the largest surviving constructivist monument worldwide, accusing Russia of a deliberate campaign of terror.
Derzhprom… One of the most iconic buildings in Kharkiv.
— Anastasiya Paraskevova (@UkrainianAna) October 28, 2024
Fuck russia so much…
I can't even express the hatred I feel. #RussiaIsATerroristState https://t.co/40r7ipgrKA pic.twitter.com/yQAYDlY9Ct
The assault on Derzhprom marks yet another escalation in the city’s suffering since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Russian forces have heavily bombarded Kharkiv, especially Freedom Square and surrounding areas, including previous strikes on the regional administration, security services, and nearby hotels. Despite Derzhprom’s UNESCO-protected status, Avdeeva argued that insufficient air defenses leave Ukraine vulnerable, with Western allies cautious about enabling Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory.
