INTERNATIONAL: Russian missile strike on Kharkiv's frontline district of Saltivka has cut off gas supplies to tens of thousands of residents still remaining in the city's largest residential area.

A missile strike on Thursday (March 31) hit pipes delivering gas to apartments in the district and nearby areas and caused a massive fire that burnt dozens of local shops.

Some 34,000 people in Saltivka and neighboring areas have been cut off from gas supplies, according to local emergency services.

Kharkiv, the country's second city, has suffered some of the heaviest shelling since the invasion began.

Many residents have fled the continuous Russian air strikes which have hit civilian infrastructure, apartment blocks, schools, shops, and hospitals. Those that remained have sought shelter in basements and cellars

Artur, Owner of One Of The Burnt Shops:

"The missile hit here, everything burn down, and my shop is destroyed. The Russian missile came here."

"A regular residential district, I do not know how many jobs are lost, how many shops have burnt down."

Vera, Kharkiv Resident,

"Our apartment block was hit by three missiles, all apartments at entrance 2 were on fire, and people were left without entry doors. Where are we supposed to live? We have been here since March 6, I want you to know. Look at us, look at my clothes. That's how we live."

Yuri, Local Resident:

"I used to buy pastry here, pasta, tiny ravioli. I bought all there. And now what? We have nothing, just a bit of bread. Good thing they (volunteers) help us. Well done."

^{PHOTO: VIEW OF SALTIVKA, RESIDENTIAL AREA IN KHARKIV, SMOKE RISING, AUDIO OF EXPLOSIONS / VARIOUS OF FIRE OF GAS PIPE / LOCAL SHOP OWNER, RESIDENTS SPEAKING}