Terekhov said two aviation bombs were dropped, accusing Russia of "intentionally targeting" the civilian facility. Four people are also missing, he added.

In a separate statement, Oleh Sinehubov, head of the regional administration, said the strike put the hypermarket on fire, which spread to the area of over 15,000 square meters.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as "madness," and complained about lack of air defense systems, urging international partners to provide them as soon as possible.

"As of now, it is believed that more than 200 people were in the hypermarket. All the emergency services are already on the site and providing assistance, rescuing people, and extinguishing the fire that has completely engulfed the building. There are killed and injured people,” Zelenskyy said on X.

Had Ukraine possessed adequate air defense systems and modern combat aircraft, Russian strikes like this one would have been prevented, he said.

“We need a significant enhancement of air defense and sufficient capabilities ... this is a task that must be accomplished and can only be accomplished together with the world,” Zelenskyy added.

The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office said the strikes were carried out from Russia's Belgorod region. "Rescue operations are ongoing. Prosecutors and police investigators are working at the scene ... criminal proceedings have been initiated," the prosecutor's office said.

Later in the day, the Russian army struck the Central Park in Kharkiv, mayor Terekhov said in a separate statement. "One more strike has just hit the Central Park. Reports of casualties and destruction are being clarified," he said.

Russia is yet to comment on Ukraine's claims.