Russian Iskander-M Ballistic Missile Kills 6 in Merefa, Kharkiv Oblast — Including Two Teenagers

At approximately 09:35 local time on May 4, Russian forces fired an Iskander-M ballistic missile at the town of Merefa in Kharkiv district. The strike hit a road near residential buildings, damaging outbuildings, shops, a service station, and an administrative building — with more than 10 houses and commercial buildings destroyed or damaged. The death toll rose to 6 killed: victims included three women and two men confirmed dead, among them two teenagers aged 16 and 17. An additional 36 people were wounded, with 3 in critical condition. The Merefa community declared three days of official mourning (May 5–7), signed by Mayor Veniamin Sitov. The strike came as Ukrainian President Zelensky was attending the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, meeting with European leaders to advance diplomatic support for Ukraine's air defense needs — underscoring the disconnect between ongoing diplomacy and Russia's continued civilian strikes.