Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged for increased sanctions against Russia following deadly overnight strikes that claimed at least 14 lives and wounded dozens. The attacks, which hit multiple locations, come just days before US and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia for discussions on a potential truce.
Deadly Strikes in Dobropillia and Bogodukhiv
A Russian assault on Dobropillia, a town in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, killed 11 people and injured 30, according to emergency services. In a separate incident, three more people were killed, and seven wounded in a drone attack in Bogodukhiv, located in the Kharkiv region, said regional military chief Oleg Synegubov.
Russia reportedly fired two missiles and 145 drones at Bogodukhiv, Ukraine’s air force confirmed. The attacks left residential buildings charred, market stalls flattened, and evidence of cluster bomb damage in Dobropillia, according to AFP reports.
Zelensky Condemns Russian Tactics
President Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately targeting emergency responders after initial strikes. “Russia struck Dobropillia, waited until rescuers arrived, and then deliberately targeted them as well,” he stated on Telegram. He called the tactic “inhumane” and stressed the urgency of strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses and imposing further sanctions on Russia.
US-Ukraine Relations Under Strain
The strikes follow comments by US President Donald Trump, who threatened additional sanctions on Russia but suggested that working with Moscow might be “easier” than supporting Kyiv in the ongoing war.
US and Ukrainian negotiators are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia next week amid strained relations. Trump has previously criticized Zelensky in public meetings and suspended US aid to Ukraine, arguing that diplomatic efforts should be prioritized.
Russia Claims Ukrainian Drone Attacks
Meanwhile, Moscow’s defense ministry reported that it had destroyed 31 Ukrainian drones overnight. Ukrainian forces allegedly targeted Russia’s Kirishi oil refinery, with air defenses intercepting drones before impact. However, falling debris damaged an external structure of a reservoir, according to Leningrad governor Aleksandr Drozdenko.
A civilian in Russia’s Belgorod district, near the Ukraine border, was also injured in a drone attack, local governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed.
Ukraine Deploys French Mirage Fighter Jets
For the first time, Ukraine deployed French Mirage fighter jets, delivered last month, to counter the Russian aerial assault. Despite efforts to repel the attacks, Ukrainian energy facilities in Odesa and Poltava suffered damage, the Ukrainian air force reported.
EU Strengthens Defenses Amid Fears of US Disengagement
The latest escalation of hostilities has prompted European Union leaders to take steps to bolster the bloc’s defense capabilities. Concerns over a potential reduction in US support for Ukraine have driven EU nations to enhance their military preparedness.
Sources By Agencies
