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SELFLESS COURAGE
Terrifying moment hero Ukrainian medic shields wounded civilian as Russian rockets rain down
THIS is the moment a hero Ukrainian paramedic shields a wounded civilian from lethal Russian "double-tap" shelling in Kharkiv.
Dramatic footage filmed by The Sun shows the brave emergency worker using his body to protect the stricken woman while others can be seen sprinting for cover.
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In the frontline city of Kharkiv, just 25 miles from the Russian border, Putin’s troops unleashed a deadly “double-tap” rocket blitz – killing at least five people and wounding 13 others.
The ruthless second-strike tactic is designed to kill first responders giving life-saving aid.
Medics who raced to the scene of an initial blast were forced to dive for cover as a second barrage of deadly Grad rockets smashed into the street around them.
The second salvo of rockets sent shockwaves through the ground where medics were treating a man and woman.
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The terrifying whoosh and thump of incoming rockets sent nearby troops and hero medics scrambling for shelter.
The man lay moaning in pain on the road, unable to move.
The Sun cowered behind a concrete flower pot as a hero Ukrainian medic shielded the woman he was treating from secondary shrapnel blasts.
At least eight more rockets blitzed nearby buildings as the selfless medic screamed at people to save themselves and take cover.
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At least one of the rockets tore through a nearby covered market where fresh fruit and meat was on sale, setting the building on fire.
Bewildered stallholders packed up their wares as smoke filled the cavernous hall and firefighters raced to extinguish the blaze.
Fighting in Kharkiv continues with Russian forces targeting civilians and residential buildings as officials claim they even plant booby traps in washing machines and under dead bodies in a bid to kill more innocents.
Thick plumes of smoke billowed over the city from strikes in at least three areas yesterday, including the market, a government building and a residential district.
A warship-launched missile killed at least one, injured 18 and blew out windows half a mile away yesterday.
At least five people were killed by Russian shelling on Sunday, regional officials said.
The barrage slammed into apartment buildings and left the streets scattered with broken glass and other debris, including part of at least one rocket.
More than 300 people have died in the city since Putin unleashed his bloodbath slaughter on Feb 24.
The figure includes 100 dead soldiers and 192 civilians.
Another 964 civilians and 513 soldiers were wounded, a top health official revealed.
REVENGE ATTACKS
Russia ramped up its attacks with rocket and cruise missile strikes after Ukraine sank its Black Sea flagship – the 12,500-ton Moskva – in the worst single naval loss since the end of World War Two.
The sinking of the Russian vessel Moskva reportedly with its entire crew of 510 sailors on board, was the first time Russia had lost a flagship since its battleship Knyaz Suvorov was torpedoed by Japan in the war of 1905.
Russian state TV anchor Vladimir Solovyov raged at the Navy’s failures.
The top Putin stooge, who was sanctioned by the west over links to Russian tyrant, said: “I am furious about what happened to the Black Sea Fleet’s flagship, Moskva.
“It was quite old and went through repairs and, yes, this series of ships has vulnerabilities.
“I get it. But tell me this: how did you manage to lose it?”
“Why the hell you were in that particular area of the Black Sea, at that time?”
His outburst was seen as a signal of Mad Vlad’s private anger.
Ukraine said the ship was hit by a volley of Ukrainian Neptune missiles when it was 60 miles offshore.
Moscow said it sank in a storm after a fire in the ammunition bay.
Vice-Admiral Igor Osipov, commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, has not been seen since the sinking amid claims he has been detained.
Russia wreaked its bloody revenge by blitzing Kyiv, Kharkiv and Lviv with cruise missiles on Saturday.
Ukraine has warned Russia is building up forces for a dreaded second-wave onslaught to capture the country’s east – after its troops were forced to retreat around Kyiv in a botched phase one offensive.
Officials in eastern Donbas province said at least two people died there yesterday from tanks, multiple rocket launchers and heavy artillery.
British defence intelligence warned Russia’s “operational focus has shifted to eastern Ukraine”.
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It said Moscow building up forces near Kharkiv and Severdonetsk further east.
But it warned: “Russia’s ultimate objective remains the same” – which is bringing the country under its sway.
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