At the time of the missile strikes, there were 30 people in the hotel - seven staff members and 23 guests. Among the wounded were journalists from a Turkish media outlet.

The Russians quickly reported the destruction of the mercenary base.

"There were no military mercenaries, no military here. This is a civilian facility, civilian infrastructure. We have always accommodated our friends, guests who stayed in Kharkiv, foreign delegations here," said Igor Terekhov, the mayor of the city. One missile hit the building of the hotel complex, while the other missile hit near the entrance to the hotel.