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A Russian strike on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least 12 people, including three children. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said 14 others were injured, two of them in critical condition.
The fate of 12 more people who may be trapped under the rubble is being determined. Rescuers are continuing their search at the scene.
Regional Governor Mykhailo Semikhin said Russia dropped five glide bombs on the city early Saturday morning. Regional authorities said 26 residential buildings were damaged, including a five-storey apartment block that was partly destroyed.
A six-year-old girl was among those killed. Her grandfather, Anatoliy Chumnyi, wept as rescuers laid her body on the ground. “Her birthday would have been at the end of the month,” he said.
More than 700,000 people lived in Zaporizhzhia before the war. Located less than 30 kilometres from the front line, the city has come under repeated attack in recent months. Thirteen Ukrainian regions were also attacked overnight.
Zelensky links strike to US decision
Zelensky linked the attack to a decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports. He said Russia viewed the easing of pressure as a signal that it could continue the war.
According to the Ukrainian leader, Russia also launched a ballistic missile strike after repeated attacks on energy facilities in Kyiv. Some of the missiles were intercepted. Zelensky alleged that Russia uses export revenues to produce weapons, upgrade Shahed drones, develop missiles and recruit mercenaries for the front.
US President Donald Trump announced the agreement to ease sanctions on Friday, as Ukrainian and European officials were holding talks with US representatives in Miami on a joint proposal to end the war. Zelensky said the decision had taken Kyiv by surprise, calling it “a weak decision by strong partners.”
The White House is seeking to bring down fuel prices, which have risen sharply amid the US conflict with Iran. Trump has also criticized Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries. Kyiv, meanwhile, wants both sides to stop attacking energy infrastructure.
Parts of Kyiv have lost power, and the metro suspended operations for the second time this week. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that an immediate resumption of peace talks was unlikely after a phone call with Trump.
