Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs, Igor Klymenko, provided details about the enemy strike on a shop and café in the village of Groza in the Kupyansk district of the Kharkiv region.
During a telethon broadcast, he mentioned that the enemy strike occurred at "13:24 on an object of critical infrastructure in the village of Groza in the Kupyansk district." The strike targeted a building that "served as a shop, with a nearby café."
"There were local residents in the shop. Local residents were also in the café, where a wake was being held for a deceased fellow villager. In total, there were about 60 people on the premises of this object... Seven people sustained severe injuries, and they are all currently undergoing surgery. At the moment, we have identified 29 bodies of our citizens who have died. All other bodies, after such a massive explosion, have been sent to the relevant medical and forensic institutions in the city of Kharkiv," said Klimenko.
Regarding the extent of the destruction, as mentioned by the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the "building of the café and shop has been completely shattered." "When we talk about those citizens who sustained severe injuries, they were not right in the middle of this café and shop but were located at a distance of 50 meters or more. That's why they suffered such severe injuries from shrapnel, and doctors are fighting for their lives," added Klymenko.
The Minister of Internal Affairs informed that there are currently 150 police officers, 75 emergency services personnel, and 60 medics working at the scene.
"I want to emphasize that the village of Groza had 330 residents. From each family, from each household, one person was present at this memorial lunch. That's why this is such a terrible tragedy for the settlement, for Ukraine. This is yet another terrible war crime by the Russians, for which they must be held accountable," Klymenko emphasized.
He also noted that specialists are currently investigating the specific type of weaponry the Russian occupiers used to strike. "At the moment, specialists are working, and it is not yet known for sure. I can definitely say that it was a fairly heavy missile, or possibly it was a guided aviation missile and bomb, or it was a fragmentation bomb. Currently, we will determine with the help of experts the exact type of weapon and what this charge was fired from," Klymenko emphasized.
Additionally, police leaders, employees of the State Emergency Service, and SSU personnel are currently at the site of the strike, studying the situation and establishing the potential involvement of "individuals who could have directed the enemy to this target," as the impact was very precise. "It is not such a large space for such a precise hit. Therefore, the Security Service and the police have suspicions that this possibility must also be thoroughly investigated," Klimenko explained.
Later, Klymenko wrote on Telegram that the number of victims has increased to 51 people. "One of the wounded individuals died while receiving medical assistance. The rubble is still being cleared," he shared.
From October 6 to October 8, the Kharkiv region will observe days of mourning.
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