The human tragedy of Hrushivka: the aftermath of a Russian cluster bomb attack in Ukraine

Elena Bulakhtina was on the way back to her medical clinic when a cluster bomb screamed across the sky. There was a bang, then two seconds later a series of detonations, as deadly shrapnel whizzed through the air. Bulakhtina, a doctor, flung herself to the ground. She made it to her workplace basement just as a second bomb exploded, and then a third.

Not everyone was as lucky. The Russian attack took place on Tuesday afternoon, in the once peaceful village of Hrushivka, about 8km away from the frontline in the north-east of Ukraine. A few locals were standing next to a generator, where they were able to charge their phones and check emails. Pensioner Nikolai Koliyenko was sitting on a bench outside his house. It was overcast.

Bomb fragments killed Koliyenko. A woman in her fifties, Vera Shevtsova, also died. “We couldn’t do anything for them. The elderly man had multiple shrapnel injuries. We left him. Those are our triage rules,” Bulakhtina explained. Instead she helped the living. They included a critically wounded 10-year-old boy, Andriy Seydnuk, who was hit in the head by metal casing.

Flowers placed by residents on a bench close to the spot in Hrushivka where two people were killed on Tuesday by a cluster bomb. Photograph: Elena Bulakhtina

The building filled up with screaming children and desperate adults. “I only knew I was treating a boy in a green hoodie. He was barely breathing. I bandaged his head. We had nothing for kids. Miraculously I found a tube approximately his size so we could intubate him. We had no oxygen so I ran our ventilator on room air. It was the best we could do for him,” she said.

More victims were brought in. They included a teenage girl with a shrapnel wound to her upper arm and lower leg, a 40-year-old mother of five hit in the abdomen, and a male pensioner with an arterial bleed. Plus a young man with a serious spinal injury who was unable to walk or feel his legs. The patients – a dozen of them – were driven to hospital in Kharkiv, 100km away. The 10-year-old went to a neurological unit, where his condition on Friday was grave.

The episode was terrible. And what you might call mundane. It was ordinary in the sense that Moscow has been dropping cluster bombs on civilians since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, more than six long months ago. The tragedy in Hrushivka was, on a micro scale, an echo of the horrors of Mariupol, where thousands died this spring under rockets and air-launched missiles.

“My son was a clever boy. He liked gymnastics. He used to roam around on his own. When the explosion happened I tried to find him,” Seydnuk’s father, Denis, said, sitting outside the clinic and smoking a cigarette. “I was shouting and screaming: ‘Andriy! Andriy! Has anyone seen a boy in a green hoodie?’ And then the medics told me what happened.” Andriy’s elder sister, Uliana, and mother, Olga, were unhurt.

Blood on the tarmac after the strike. Photograph: Elena Bulakhtina

The Russians occupied Hrushivka – a community of 1,000 people, with a school, a few shops, and a fishing lake – in March. The Ukrainian armed forces drove them out two weeks ago as part a sweeping counter-offensive during which Kyiv recaptured almost all of Kharkiv oblast. The new frontline is down the road in the town of Kupiansk, now the scene of a large and thunderous battle.

On Thursday, thick black smoke drifted over a hill to Hrushivka. From somewhere nearby a Ukrainian tank fired a round at Russian troops who were hiding in a forest, dug in about two kilometres beyond the Oskil River. Then there was the dramatic sound of US-supplied HIMARS multiple long-range rockets taking off.

A British combat medic and former soldier, who goes by the name of Fish, said the Russians had been trying to break through, so far without success. He showed off fragments of shrapnel that he collected from Tuesday’s attack. They included pieces of tail-fin and a detonator. He treated patients in the dark, illuminating their wounds with a head-torch and a mobile phone.

“I was watching TV in April back in the UK. I saw these kids hurt in Kyiv and decided to come and help,” he explained. “There is no reason for children to be caught up in this. It’s inhuman and deplorable.” He and other volunteers had treated soldier-casualties from Ukraine’s recent successful military operation in a ruined school, lying them down on wooden pallets and hooking drips from metal railings.

Stas Yaramenko, an anaesthesiologist, was scathing about the Kremlin’s tactics. “Russia is a terrorist country. They are using nuclear blackmail. They want us to negotiate on their terms,” he said. Could Ukraine win the war? “We don’t have any alternative. Look at what happened in the 1930s. Stalin gave Ukraine famine and had our poets and composers shot,” he said.

Shrapnel from the Russian strike in Hrushivka. Photograph: Elena Bulakhtina

Just outside the village a group of refugees from Kupiansk sheltered under a broken flyover. Alexiy Mitutianov, 38, said there was heavy fighting in and around the town and continuous shelling, especially during the day. There was no electricity or gas, and the three shops that were still open had almost run out of food. Anything left was extremely expensive, he said.

Mitutianov said residents had held a pro-Ukrainian rally on 9 March after Russian troops rolled in from across the border. About 150 people gathered in Kupiansk’s Constitution Square, previously named after Lenin. “We waved Ukrainian flags. I lit a flare. Immediately a Russian soldier grabbed me. I didn’t have time to protest. I spent the next few months in jail,” he said.

Several hundred people were crammed into a police station basement, he added. Their guards came from the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic. They beat inmates on a regular basis, using wooden sticks and rubber tubes, he said, adding: “They were worse than Russians.” The Ukrainian army freed him when it took over the town, he said, adding: “I’m broke and I have no plan.”

Back in Hrushivka, Bulakhtina said she would take a break from the war next month and return to her home in Canada. Originally from Russia, she said she despised Putin and had decided to use her medical skills in Ukraine. “This is history in the making. I wanted to do something rather than to sit at home and post ‘Fuck Putin’ on Facebook all day,” she said.

Still, the sight of badly injured children took its toll, she conceded. “I’m not paranoid. But whenever I go out I look at the sky,” she said. “You are kind of constantly watching to see if anything is falling on you. If it lands on you there’s not much you can do. And if it doesn’t you fall to the ground and run.”


Football news:

<!DOCTYPE html>
Kane on Tuchel: A wonderful man, full of ideas. Thomas in person says what he thinks
Zarema about Kuziaev's 350,000 euros a year in Le Havre: Translate it into rubles - it's not that little. It is commendable that he left
Aleksandr Mostovoy on Wendel: Two months of walking around in the middle of nowhere and then coming back and dragging the team - that's top level
Sheffield United have bought Euro U21 champion Archer from Aston Villa for £18.5million
Alexander Medvedev on SKA: Without Gazprom, there would be no Zenit titles. There is a winning wave in the city. The next victory in the Gagarin Cup will be in the spring
Smolnikov ended his career at the age of 35. He became the Russian champion three times with Zenit

3:02 Lewiston shooting updates – Robert Card named ‘person of interest’ after active shooter ‘killed 22’ in Maine
3:00 Kris Jenner reveals her life’s biggest regret and warns Khloe not to make the same mistake
3:00 Arsenal news: Ian Wright hails "reliable" Gunners star after Champions League win
3:00 Khloe Kardashian says she has her ‘happily ever after’ - and it’s not with Tristan Thompson
2:32 UN Security Council fails again to address Israel-Hamas war, rejecting US and Russian resolutions
2:13 Lewiston active shooter LIVE: 22 people dead and 60 injured with armed suspect on the run
2:00 Man Utd news: Sir Jim Ratcliffe sent clear message amid Kylian Mbappe admission
1:56 Lewiston shooting: Reports of 22 dead as police hunt gunman – live
1:55 Fears of up to 22 dead as police hunt gunman in Lewiston, Maine
1:50 My biggest fall decorating tip so your home is classy, not tacky – no one wants their house to look like Hobby Lobby
1:36 Lewiston active shooter: 16 people dead and 60 injured with armed suspect still at large
1:36 Lewiston active shooter: 22 people dead and 60 injured with armed suspect still at large
1:35 Fears of up to 16 dead as police hunt gunman in Lewiston, Maine
1:29 Mass shooting in Maine: What we know about Lewiston attack
1:27 No, 1 pick Victor Wembanyama is set to debut with the San Antonio Spurs and the world is watching
1:15 Lewiston shooting: Reports of 16 dead as police hunt gunman – live
1:00 Passenger sues airline after flight attendant spilled coffee and ‘burned his tattoo’
1:00 Premier League star risks manager's wrath by naming 'perfect replacement' for Mohamed Salah
0:57 Police say there’s an active shooter in Lewiston, Maine, and they are investigating multiple scenes
0:45 Toddler rushed to hospital after being bitten by a dog as she walked through Chingford park with her parents
0:43 Lewiston shooting updates – Photo of ‘active shooter’ released as Maine cops hunt suspect & warn residents to lock doors
0:41 Lewiston shooting: Police hunt active gunman after incident in Maine - live
0:31 Lewiston shooting: Police hunt active gunman after incident in Maine
0:28 Beloved vs unloved: Contrasting captains collide in Rugby World Cup final
0:28 We converted a dusty work van into our little paradise on wheels – there’s an in-home movie theater & succulent garden
0:21 Kylie Jenner discusses 'hardest decision' as she opens up on coparenting with Travis Scott
0:18 Biden says West Bank settlers ‘pouring gasoline on fire’ as Israel prepares for Gaza ground invasion
0:17 Walking Dead star Erik Jensen diagnosed with stage four cancer as wife starts fundraiser
0:17 ‘Active shooter’ in Lewiston, Maine sees police swarm multiple locations with lockdown issued at schools & businesses
0:16 Reports of active shooter causing ‘multiple casualties’ at bar in Maine
0:07 I dropped out of college and decided to live in my car – it prepared me more for life than any education
0:05 ‘Huge blow’ as cinema chain with 103 locations to close branch in weeks after bankruptcy filing
0:03 Man Utd consider shock David de Gea return after Andre Onana performed U-turn
23:56 Dusty Baker tells newspaper he is retiring as manager of the Houston Astros
23:54 October 26 - On this day: 40 years ago we reported the US-led invasion of Grenada
23:53 NATO air chief accused of boozy snog with colleague told court martial: ‘I don’t even do that to my wife’
23:47 Indianapolis Colts owner takes to social media to blast officials following Cleveland Browns defeat
23:47 Rare watch that was bought for £60 then worn ‘virtually everyday’ sells for eye-watering sum
23:45 Shocking moment yob chucks massive concrete slab at head of woman wearing a hijab in ‘random’ attack
23:44 Francis Ngannou concerns fans with brief pad work in Tyson Fury workout
23:41 Ex-NFL star Sergio Brown charged with his mother’s murder
23:38 Brian Austin Green slams Dancing With the Stars for excluding Sharna Burgess from Len Goodman tribute
23:29 Justin Trudeau's ex-wife named as 'the other woman' in Canadian's divorce petition
23:25 ISIS bride Shamima Begum will exploit any error to overturn decision to take away British citizenship, court hears
23:21 Amazing Asda deal could get you free movie tickets when you buy pizza deal
23:19 Voices: Make no mistake – the new speaker is Trump’s man in Washington
23:17 Ruby Franke’s daughter reveals ‘panic attacks’ after mother’s child abuse arrest
23:15 Just one in ten Brits believe their knowledge of astronomy is 'good', study finds
23:13 Nissan unveils five of its new cars in iconic video game Fortnite including its futuristic-looking Juke
23:12 Wayne Rooney taunted by Birmingham fans as first home match ends in dour defeat
23:12 Ex-NatWest chief infringed on Farage’s data protection rights, watchdog rules
23:11 Family of Al Jazeera correspondent killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza
23:10 Pep Guardiola issues response to Erling Haaland 'concerns' after Champions League brace
23:05 Al Jazeera journalist finds out his wife, son and daughter killed in Israeli airstrike while on air
23:05 I can’t believe my cold-shoulder Shein dress was only $8 – it’s giving ‘baddie on a budget’
23:04 Georgia Harrison flashes her bum in thong and tight corset as she dresses up for star-studded Halloween party
23:03 LGBTQ+ nightspot targeted in Colorado Club Q massacre to re-open
23:01 Emily Eavis drops major hints about Glastonbury 2024 headliners
23:01 ‘Party pad’ that left neighbours fuming over loud stag and hen dos will be split in HALF
23:01 BBC local radio shows suffer drop in listeners over past two years
23:01 RAJARs: BBC Radio 5 Live sees growth but World Service slumps below 1m in UK
22:59 Dad-of-four electrocuted to death pulling his kids from water fountain
22:54 World’s sexiest athlete Alica Schmidt shows off incredible figure and toned abs as fans hail her as ‘a true goddess’
22:46 James Bulger’s family slams decision to grant killer Jon Venables a private parole hearing
22:45 Diego Simeone gives Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers the short shrift as Argentine verges on full-time custard pie
22:43 Ex-NFL player Sergio Brown, charged with killing mother, has been denied release
22:43 Will Smith finally addresses Jada Pinkett Smith’s many claims about their marriage
22:37 Lioness ace Keating happy to be ‘role model’ and aims to be first goalkeeper of colour to play for England Women
22:35 School boy Yousef Makki was unlawfully killed, finds fresh inquest
22:33 A Place in the Sun’s Laura Hamilton puts on busty display in barely there bikini on £700 a night luxury Cyprus holiday
22:30 Beloved car revived as EV hybrid – and it’s a lot different to the usual model
22:30 Trusts accused of using foreign doctors as ‘cheap labour’
22:28 Director Sofia Coppola turned down final Twilight movie because concept was ‘too weird’
22:28 One of those nights – Eddie Howe bemoans fine margins after Newcastle defeat
22:28 Brendan Rodgers beams at Celtic courage as Parkhead stars show their Champions League chops to spark group stage hope
22:19 Wrexham player addresses Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's real impact at club
22:18 US planning for evacuation of Americans from Middle East if conflict escalates
22:18 Doctor Who air dates for David Tennant specials finally announced
22:18 Deer smashes through noodle restaurant window in bizarre video
22:16 Woman claims 'haunted' doll knocks and moves items at home as 'spooked' pet dog howls
22:15 Andy Murray’s poor form continues despite latest marathon effort
22:13 Watch Southampton keeper claim goal in final seconds to draw against Preston… but did he score?
22:10 Horoscope today, October 26, 2023: Daily star sign guide from Mystic Meg
22:10 Hero dad wrestles suspect to ground after three police officers are battered with bike
22:07 Dementia risk slashed by eating fat found in breakfast favourite, new study says
22:05 Vogue Williams admits near-death experience as a child still 'freaks her out' today
22:05 BBC boss Tim Davie grilled by Tory MPs amid row over coverage of Israel-Hamas war
22:03 Countryfile star Adam Henson 'cried a lot' at wedding after wife's secret cancer fight
22:03 Newcastle discover elite level of Champions League as former transfer target shows his worth
22:03 Prince Harry's relationship with Meghan's mum 'gets stronger' as royal divide continues
22:03 Eddie Howe provides update on Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy injuries after Borussia Dortmund defeat
22:01 Henry and Richards in shock after finding out Carragher’s ranking at 2005 Ballon d’Or awards
22:01 Man's body lay undiscovered in bed for 22 years until council investigated rats in property
21:57 Dog desperate for new home 'begins to lose spark' after a year at RSPCA shelter
21:56 ‘Brexit benefits are powering our renaissance’ – Tens of thousand new jobs to be created
21:54 Republicans slammed for booing reporter asking about overturning 2020 election
21:53 Martin O'Neill insists Celtic drained by 'very soft' penalty as he applies 1974 rules to Greg Taylor challenge
21:50 Brendan Rodgers blanks Celtic Champions League progression poser as he focuses on 2 factors of pulsating Parkhead night
21:49 'UK's most haunted town' plagued by '15 different ghosts' and chilling 'nightly screams'
21:47 Five great boiler maintenance tips that will keep your heating and hot water running during winter