Between two to three civilians were reportedly killed and at least five others, including three rescuers, were injured by alleged Russian shelling of a market on Heroiv Pratsi St in Kharkiv on March 16, 2022.
Suspilne News reported that three people were killed and five people were injured when a fire caused by Russian shelling broke out in the Heroiv Pratsi metro area.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS) released a statement that “At 4:20 p.m., the fire on the territory of the market was extinguished on an area of 3,600 square meters. As a result of the shelling, 3 people died and 5 people were injured.” DSNS added that 51 people and nine pieces of equipment were involved in putting out the fire.
Wikipedia News reported that two people were killed and five others were wounded from the shelling of the market.
According to @ICTV_Fakty, in addition to the three killed and five wounded, three rescuers were hospitalized.
The department of administrative services of the Kharkiv City Council was quoted as saying that three projectiles hit the area of Heroiv Pratsi market, causing the pavilions to catch fire. Wikipedia News added that the shelling also caused damage to windows in residential buildings and schools.
The majority of sources attributed the shelling of the market to Russian forces. However, Perviy Kharkovskyi, a Telegram account with a clear pro-Russian stance, blamed Ukrainian forces for starting the fire, stating that “people were standing at the “new post office,” section 6, and could see perfectly well who was shooting” (referring to the Ukrainians).
This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR53554 and Bellingcat code CIV0405.