Russia attacks Kharkivin, two weeks after life began to return to normal

Russian artillery has hit the town of Kharkiv for the first time in two weeks, just as life in Ukraine's second city was beginning to return to normal after Russian troops left its towns and villages.

Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Synehubov said at least nine people were killed and 17 were injured in attacks in the northern part of the city.

The predominantly Russian-speaking city near the two countries' border was heavily attacked during the first days of the war, as Russian forces tried to take control, but they were pushed back into the suburbs. The Russians sent artillery and rockets into the city in a case of destroying the regional administration building.

In the afternoon, a rocket crater was thrown onto the “Otakara Yarosa” road in front of a building block from which windows were destroyed on all five floors. Police at the scene said they did not know how many people had died there, reports Guardian, broadcast Klankosova.tv.

A steady influx of inhabitants had begun to return to their homes in the city. Several cafes and restaurants were open, people were walking to the city parks Thursday morning, and this week the subway began operating again for the first time since the invasion. In recent weeks Kharkiv has been a type of bomb shelter, with thousands living in underground lands.

After Russia failed in its attacks on Kiev and Kharkiv in the early days of the war, Moscow has focused most of its efforts on a bloody offensive to get more territory in the Donbas region. But Thursday's attacks raised fears that Kharkiv may still be on the agenda