A fresh wave of missiles and drones slammed into Ukraine overnight, killing four people in the Kharkiv region and injuring more than 20 others, officials said, as Russia-annexed Crimea reported its own air defences were fighting off drone strikes.
The barrage comes after weeks of escalating attacks by both Russia and Ukraine, with each side launching large-scale strikes while the war grinds on.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week urged an end to the conflict and put forward the idea of direct talks between Ukraine and Russia, with the United States and European partners taking an active role.
The latest round of attacks unfolded as Mr Zelensky was travelling back to Kyiv after discussions in London with the leaders of Britain, France and Germany, who said they were prepared to back ceasefire negotiations.
Mr Zelensky also said he held what he described as a “positive” conversation with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, saying they had shown readiness to work toward a settlement in the coming weeks.
Rescuers inspect a business centre damaged in Kharkiv
In northeastern Kharkiv, the town of Chuhuiv was hit hard. Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram that two men and two women were killed there, sharing an image of an apartment building engulfed in flames after being destroyed.
Mr Syniehubov added that a separate overnight drone strike on the regional capital, Kharkiv, led 15 people — including three children — to seek medical assistance.
Chuhuiv’s mayor, Galina Minaeva, reported in another post that six people in the town were injured.
Across the Black Sea in Sevastopol — home to Russia’s Black Sea naval fleet in Russia-annexed Crimea — Russian-installed governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Telegram that air defence systems were repelling a drone attack.
Reuters could not independently verify the reports.
CCTV captures moment of strike on Zaporizhzhia
Further south, a missile strike on Zaporizhzhia killed two people and left 23 others wounded, according to the regional governor.
Over the past month, Russia has struck Ukraine with Oreshnik missiles, while Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Both Moscow and Kyiv have argued that securing gains on the battlefield strengthens their hand at the negotiating table.
Cautious steps to resume peace talks
US-led peace efforts involving Ukraine and Russia have largely lost momentum as Washington concentrates on finding a solution to the Iran war.
Even so, US and Ukrainian officials are still in discussions about a possible trip to Kyiv by Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner, potentially in the coming weeks, according to a source familiar with the matter.
If it happens, it would mark the first official visit to Ukraine by the two envoys, who have previously travelled to Moscow to meet Russian officials.
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At the United Nations Security Council yesterday, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Nordic countries backed Mr Zelensky’s call for an immediate ceasefire and direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In London, Mr Zelensky also told British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that Ukraine needs additional missiles for air defence systems.
Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin was quoted this morning as saying NATO countries were expanding their presence in areas close to Russia and Belarus.
“We remain in a constant state of readiness to employ all means, including nuclear ones, to ensure the security of the Union State,” he told the Izvestia newspaper, referring to apolitical, security and economic alliance between Russia and Belarus.
