Ukrainian authorities reported that at least two individuals lost their lives and dozens sustained injuries during Russian drone assaults on the eastern city of Kharkiv.
Both Russia and Ukraine have intensified aerial bombardments, despite US President Donald Trump urging them to reach a ceasefire agreement after more than three years of conflict.
The strikes targeted residential and office buildings in Kharkiv, igniting multiple fires and injuring 35 people, including a child, according to Ukraine’s state emergency service via Telegram.
“Russian drones struck one of Kharkiv’s districts, leading to strikes on residential buildings and an administrative building, resulting in four fires,” the emergency service reported.
The attacks coincided with a visit from Russia’s chief economic negotiator to the US for discussions aimed at improving bilateral relations.
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Mr. Trump is advocating for improved relations with Russia, reaching out to President Vladimir Putin and Russian officials in hopes of facilitating a ceasefire in the ongoing Ukraine war.
Last month, the United States indicated that both Ukraine and Russia separately agreed to “develop measures for implementing” a cessation of strikes on energy infrastructure.
Nevertheless, the attacks have persisted, and both parties have lodged complaints with the United States regarding strikes that have impacted their energy facilities.
Ukraine has urged the US to enhance sanctions on Russia for “violating” agreements established during talks in Saudi Arabia last month.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine accused Russia of deliberately targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
On the same day, a Russian ballistic missile strike resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals in Mr. Zelensky’s native city of Kryvyi Rig.
In a separate incident, one person was killed and another injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s Bryansk region, as reported by the local governor.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin previously stated that Russian air defense units had intercepted a drone approaching the capital.
“Air defense teams from the Defense Ministry thwarted an attack by a drone aimed at Moscow,” Mr. Sobyanin wrote on Telegram.
“Emergency responders are currently addressing the site where debris has fallen.”
A representative from Rosaviatsiya, the federal transport agency, informed that Moscow’s Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports had to close temporarily. They were reopened for departing flights several hours later.
