Russian Drone Attacks Hit Ukrainian Cities, Killing One and Injuring Dozens as Peace Talks Near
Photo credit - The Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine — Russian drone attacks struck the Ukrainian cities of Odesa and Kharkiv overnight, killing at least one person and injuring nearly two dozen civilians, including two young girls, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The assaults targeted apartment buildings in the southern port city of Odesa and the northeastern city of Kharkiv, with over 20 drones deployed.
Photo credit - The Associated Press
Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as "targeted terror" on Telegram, calling for increased U.S. and EU economic sanctions on Russia. More than three years into Russia’s invasion, its forces continue a summer offensive along a 1,000-kilometer front line and maintain long-range strikes on civilian areas.
Kremlin official Dmitry Peskov indicated that dates for a new round of peace talks could be announced next week. Ukraine has not recently commented on resuming negotiations, which last occurred in Istanbul on June 2, resulting only in agreements on prisoner and wounded soldier exchanges.
Photo credit - The Associated Press
In Odesa, the drone strikes sparked a fire that caused partial collapse of a four-story residential building and injured three emergency workers. Another blaze damaged the upper floors of a 23-story high-rise, prompting the evacuation of approximately 600 residents.