Conflict

Russian Military in Ukraine

Incident Code

RUK069

Location

північна Салтівка, Saltivka, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.035340, 36.359933
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: July 18, 2025

(Previous Incident Code: RUK0083A)

On March 18th 2022, alleged Russian bombardment struck the Saltivka area within Kharkiv. The initial reports described a Russian shell striking a residential building, killing one resident.

A wide array of news organizations and social media users reported that Russian shells struck a residential building, killing an elderly man in his apartment. Lb.ua offered the initial report that noted that an elderly man was killed in his home by a Russian shell when the missile struck a residential building. The victim was described as a ninety-six year old Holocaust survivor who survived Buchenwald, Dora-Mittelbau, Bergen-Belson, and Peenemunde. He was also listed as the Vice-President of the International Committee of Buchenwald.

Glavcom.ua News issued a poignant tweet that the victim survived Nazi concentration camps but could not survive “Russia’s denazification rescue operation”. Segodnya.us tweeted that the Buchenwald and Dora-Mittelbau Concentration Camp Memorial mourned the death of this Holocaust survivor.

Hromadske News offered a comprehensive report about the strike, quoted the victim’s daughter. She gave details about her father’s killing, saying that “only bones remained on the bed’s armored mesh, as he was lying”. Mayor Ihor Terekhov asked the city council to help remove the remains and offer financial aid to bury the man.

A plethora of news agencies, including Suspilne Media, CBS News, Nikvesti News, and Twitter users @Israel Threads, @Grey Kharkiv, and Firso Walex all offered reports on the death of a Holocaust survivor allegedly killed by Russian forces.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR54068.

Victims

Individuals

Boris Romanchenko Борис Романченко
95 years old male killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1
1 Man

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Saltivka (північна Салтівка), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.035340, 36.359933. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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Military Statements

Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media from Sources (3)