Ukraine Crisis: 13 Dead In Russian Strikes On Kyiv TV Tower, Housing Block In Kharkiv

New Delhi: Tension between Russia and Ukraine continued to escalate for the sixth day as a Russian air strike on the main TV tower in Kyiv left 5 persons dead, reports news agency AFP quoting official sources. 

Russian airstrike hits Kiev's main TV tower, knocking out some state broadcasts, said Ukraine's Interior Ministry. Television channels would be off-air for a while following the explosion, it added. 

 

#BREAKING Five killed in Russian strike on Kyiv TV tower: official pic.twitter.com/VGPnbDM26p

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 1, 2022

Ukrainian officials have released footage of charred bodies and damaged cars in the apparent Russian attack, which knocked out some state broadcasters but left the structure intact, reports AFP.  

Meanwhile, Ukraine said that eight people had died on Tuesday after a Russian air strike on a residential building in the eastern city of Kharkiv, reports AFP. Russian missiles had earlier destroyed an administrative building in this second largest city of the country.

"As a result of an air strike... eight people were killed and six injured in Kharkiv," Ukraine's emergency service said. Two people were recovered alive from the debris by the rescue workers, it added. 

Kharkiv is the second largest city of Ukraine and is located close to the Russian border. The city has witnessed fierce fighting between Ukrainian Army and Russian troops.

On Tuesday, Russia asked civilians in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv to leave the city as it warned of strikes against intelligence facilities. The Russian Defence Ministry had said that it would target the Security Service of Ukraine and the 72nd Main Centre for Information and Psychological Operations in Kyiv, reported AFP.

READ HERE: Russia Asks Kyiv Residents To Leave Ahead Of Strikes On Intelligence Facilities