Kyiv - Reports from Ukrainian officials confirm that a Russian missile strike has resulted in the tragic loss of six lives and left a minimum of 14 individuals injured. This targeted the postal distribution center in the severely war-affected northeastern city of Kharkiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conveyed his distress over the incident, asserting that "Russian missiles hit the Nova Poshta center - an ordinary civilian object." He used the Telegram messaging app to share a video depicting a damaged building with shattered windows and scattered construction materials, with red trucks bearing the Nova Poshta logo in Ukrainian parked in front of it.

Oleh Synehubov, the governor of the larger Kharkiv region, with Kharkiv as its administrative center, disclosed that several of the wounded individuals were in grave condition and under medical care. Tragically, those who lost their lives or were injured in the attack were employees of the postal center, as reported by Synehubov on Telegram. He further explained that the workers had insufficient time to seek shelter, as the warning siren sounded mere seconds before the missile struck.

It is important to note that Reuters could not independently verify these reports, and there has been no immediate response from Russia. Both parties involved in the conflict deny intentionally targeting civilians, despite the ongoing war initiated by Russia against Ukraine in February 2022.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, continues to grapple with the devastating aftermath of Russia's full-scale invasion in its early days.

To the south, in eastern Ukraine, efforts persist to halt a renewed offensive by Russian forces aimed at securing additional territory. This takes place amid Kyiv's protracted and grueling counteroffensive, which has extended over several months.

The town of Avdiivka in particular faced fierce resistance against Moscow's attempt to capture it. Ukrainian military sources reported bolstered defenses, including fortifications constructed nearly a decade ago. General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of Ukraine's troops in the south, reported that "the enemy is becoming more active but is incurring heavy losses," using Telegram to share this update.

In the evening report from Russia's Defense Ministry, there was no mention of Avdiivka. Instead, it reported strikes on areas outside Bakhmut, a town that came under Moscow's control in May after months of conflict. Both towns are situated in the eastern Donetsk region.

Avdiivka, a symbol of resilience for Ukraine, has withstood relentless attacks for an extended period. Video footage depicts a town in ruins, with streets scarcely recognizable. While the town was briefly captured by Russian-backed separatists in 2014, it was subsequently reclaimed by Ukrainian forces, who constructed formidable defenses.

Military analyst Pavel Norozhnyi explained the situation, stating, "We have concrete fortifications ... outside the city," and noted that Russian forces require heavy artillery and anti-tank missiles to overcome each stronghold.

The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S. think-tank, reported marginal advances by Russian troops near Avdiivka.