At least seven people, including two children, were reported killed following extensive drone and missile strikes by Russia on Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The strikes notably impacted Kharkiv, where a kindergarten was hit, and caused widespread damage in Kyiv, with a total of 26 people injured, including children.
In a related development, US President Donald Trump announced that plans for a summit in Budapest with Russian President Vladimir Putin had been canceled to avoid what he termed a “wasted meeting.” The Kremlin has dismissed calls for a ceasefire along the existing front lines, which were suggested by both Trump and European leaders.
Additionally, Ukraine’s military claimed responsibility for an attack on a Russian chemical plant in the Bryansk border region, utilizing UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. Ukrainian officials described the strike as successful, stating the plant produces materials vital for ammunition used against Ukraine. Zelensky noted that as discussions about acquiring long-range missiles from the US faltered, Russia appeared less inclined to engage in diplomatic efforts.
Kyiv experienced a series of attacks that night, marking the first strikes since September 28. Among the casualties was a couple in their 60s, killed by a drone strike on their apartment building. In the broader Kyiv region, four others died, including a woman, a six-month-old baby, and a 12-year-old girl. In Kharkiv, a 40-year-old man died from the drone attacks, and Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported additional injuries.
Throughout the night, residents in Kyiv were under a ballistic missile warning, with rescue teams responding to fires in residential areas. Russian attacks also targeted energy infrastructure, leading to emergency power outages in multiple regions, with one MP describing the loss of electricity and water as a consequence of the strikes.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czjpe0193geo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss