Tragic news from Ukraine today as a renewed assault by Russian forces has claimed the lives of at least six people, including two children, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attacks, which also wounded 17 others, underscore the ongoing severity of the conflict and President Zelensky’s plea for increased international pressure on Moscow.
These strikes occurred shortly after US President Donald Trump announced that his planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest had been postponed, citing the potential for a “wasted meeting.” The Kremlin has so far resisted calls for a ceasefire, even from European leaders.
In a significant development, Ukraine’s military reported a successful strike on a chemical plant in Russia’s Bryansk region late on Tuesday. Utilizing UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, the operation targeted a facility crucial for producing gunpowder, explosives, and rocket fuel components used by Russia in its attacks on Ukraine. Military officials described it as a direct hit that bypassed Russian air defenses.
President Zelensky, who had recently returned from discussions with President Trump, expressed concern that Ukraine’s access to long-range missiles was crucial for diplomatic progress. He noted that any perception of reduced Ukrainian military capabilities seemed to lessen Russia’s interest in diplomatic solutions.
The capital city, Kyiv, experienced its first intense aerial assault since late September. Overnight attacks led to explosions echoing through the city, and by morning, emergency services were battling fires in residential areas. The attacks resulted in two deaths within Kyiv itself, and a further four casualties, including a six-month-old baby and a 12-year-old girl, in the wider Kyiv region.
Across Ukraine, Russian forces continued to target energy infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages in several regions.
Key Developments:
- Six civilians, including two children, killed in overnight Russian attacks.
- Ukraine claims successful missile strike on Russian chemical plant producing military components.
- President Zelensky links Ukraine’s access to long-range weapons with Russia’s willingness for diplomacy.
- US President Trump postpones planned summit with Russian President Putin.