Russian Strikes Kill At Least 25 in Ukraine, Including Children
Ternopil, Ukraine – A Russian attack on Wednesday killed at least 25 people in the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, officials reported, as Moscow intensified its strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure adn civilian areas. The attack, which involved drones and missiles, also injured nearly 50 people across multiple regions.
The strikes come as diplomatic efforts to find a path to peace remain stalled, though a U.S. official indicated that the State Department’s former special envoy for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week to explore potential avenues for renewed peace talks. Ukrainian officials have confirmed Volker’s visit to Kyiv but have not commented on discussions regarding negotiations with Russia.
Russia’s Defense ministry stated the attacks targeted Ukrainian energy facilities and military-industrial targets, including drone depots, in response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory.
in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Russian drones injured 46 people, including two girls, according to oleh syniehubov, head of the regional military governance. The drones struck residential buildings, an ambulance station, a school, and other civilian infrastructure.
Neighboring Romania and Poland were also impacted by the escalating conflict. Romania scrambled two Eurofighter Typhoon jets and two F-16s after a drone entered its airspace during the Russian attacks. Poland deployed its military aircraft and temporarily closed airports in Rzeszów and Lublin as a precautionary measure.
Simultaneously occurring, Russia claimed to have intercepted four American-supplied ATACMS missiles fired by Ukraine at the city of Voronezh on Tuesday. Debris from the intercepted missiles reportedly damaged a private house, an orphanage, and a gerontology center, though no casualties were reported. Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed firing ATACMS missiles at Russia but provided no further details.
The conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis and widespread destruction across Ukraine. Western nations have provided important military and financial aid to Ukraine,but a resolution to the conflict remains elusive.
associated Press writers Stephen McGrath and Konstantin Toropin contributed to this report.