Girl, 14, killed as Russian strike hits Kharkiv playground

A 14-year-old girl has been killed after a Russian strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv hit a playground, local officials have said.

At least five other people were killed and dozens more injured in the strikes, which also hit a residential building in the city near the Russian border.

Pictures showed flames and thick black smoke coming from the upper part of the building as firefighters carried people to safety.

President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his calls for all Ukraine's international partners to allow it to hit targets inside Russia in order to prevent such attacks.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, sits around 35km (22 miles) from the Russian border and has been the target of frequent attacks since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Regional Governor Oleg Sinegubov said on Telegram that at least 59 people had been wounded, with 20 in a serious condition and some requiring amputations. Nine children were also injured in the strikes, he said.

Further photos showed part of the building's outer wall collapsed and numerous cars outside it on fire.

Mr Sinegubov said the strikes had been launched from Russia's Belgorod region, which sits just across the border.

Mr Zelensky said Russia had targeted "ordinary" people using guided bombs and could have been prevented if Ukraine "had the capability to destroy Russian military aircraft at their bases".

"This is an absolutely legitimate need. There is no rational reason to limit Ukraine’s defence," he said.

Ukraine's Western allies have partly withheld permission for it to use their weapons to strike Russian territory for fear of escalating the conflict.

The UK has allowed much of the equipment it has supplied to be used to hit Russia, though maintains an exception for long-range Storm Shadow missiles.

In May, the US allowed Ukraine to hit targets inside Russia, but only near the Kharkiv region and only to "hit back at Russian forces hitting them or preparing to hit them".

It continues to refuse permission for strikes deeper into Russian territory.

"We need long-range capabilities and the full implementation of air defence agreements for Ukraine. These are life-saving measures,” Mr Zelensky said.

Responding to Friday's attacks, the US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, said: "Our thoughts are with the people of Kharkiv as rescue operations are underway.

"Russia must be held accountable for these war crimes."

Earlier this week, numerous sources told the BBC that Western technology and finance was helping Ukraine carry out hundreds of long-range strikes in Russia using Ukrainian-produced drones.

The targets included air force bases, oil and ammunition depots and command centres.