Missile Strikes Near Chabad School in Kharkiv; Jewish Community Volunteers Aid Rescue Efforts

by CrownHeights.info

A Russian missile struck just yards from the Or Avner Chabad school in Kharkiv, Ukraine, causing extensive damage to surrounding buildings and prompting an urgent rescue effort as emergency crews searched for civilians trapped beneath the rubble.

The school building itself escaped a direct hit, and no casualties were reported inside the institution, according to the school’s security guard. However, the powerful blast caused heavy destruction in the surrounding neighborhood, sending smoke into the air and leaving local residents in need of urgent assistance.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov issued an urgent statement following the strike, reporting that rescue teams were working to reach people believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of damaged buildings. Members of the local Jewish community joined the emergency response, helping residents affected by the attack.

Dozens of Jewish community volunteers, both young and old, arrived at the affected areas wearing identification vests and distributing essential supplies. Their efforts included providing bottled water, fresh bread and other basic food items, while also offering emotional support to residents who had lost their homes or were left without basic necessities.

Rabbi Moshe Moskowitz, the city’s chief rabbi and longtime Chabad-Lubavitch emissary, said the community would continue working to protect its educational institutions and provide support to residents despite the ongoing danger.

Despite the missile landing so close to the school, Rabbi Moskowitz said the institution would continue its educational activities.

“The school will open tomorrow morning as usual,” he said.

The latest strike follows a difficult weekend of attacks on residential areas across the city, underscoring the continued dangers faced by Kharkiv’s residents as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues.

Throughout the conflict, Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries and Jewish community members in Ukraine have continued providing food, humanitarian assistance and support to those affected by the fighting, even as their own communities face the threat of missile and drone attacks.

Rescue workers and community volunteers continued searching the damaged areas following the latest strike, hoping to locate survivors and assist those affected.