Russian shelling at approximately 03:00 destroyed a house of culture in Merefa. Several soldiers were wounded and hospitalized, while civilians inside managed to escape before the collapse. Neighbouring buildings including the Institute of Vegetable and Melon Growing were also damaged.

Shelling occurred at approximately 03:00 on March 17, 2022

House of culture was razed to the ground with people inside

Several soldiers were wounded and hospitalized

Civilians inside the house of culture escaped before the collapse, with no civilian fatalities

Institute of Vegetable and Melon Growing buildings were damaged with no windows or roof remaining

Neighbouring houses were damaged

Russian forces shelled Merefa at 3:30 a.m. on March 17

21 people were killed in the attack

25 people were injured in the attack

Ten people are in critical condition

Merefa has a population of 21,500 residents

Cluster bombs hit railway station and other buildings in Kozacha Lopan, Kharkiv Region on March 17, killing at least six.

Russian forces shelled Kazacha Lopan with prohibited cluster munitions on March 17.

On March 17, 2022, the facility lost power due to Russian strikes.