A devastating Russian drone strike on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has claimed four lives and left seventeen people wounded, local officials confirmed on Sunday. The attack occurred as American, Ukrainian and European officials gathered in Geneva to discuss proposals aimed at ending the nearly four-year conflict.
Massive Strike on Residential Areas
Kharkiv mayor Igor Terekhov reported the evening strike via Telegram, confirming the tragic casualties. Oleg Synegubov, head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, described the assault as "massive", with emergency services indicating the attack targeted two districts of the city.
The drone strike caused significant destruction, igniting fires across multiple buildings. According to official statements, three residential buildings and an infrastructure facility were set ablaze, creating a scene of devastation in the major Ukrainian city.
Peace Talks Progress Amid Ongoing Violence
While violence continued on the ground, diplomatic efforts saw potential breakthroughs. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterised high-stakes talks in Geneva as "very worthwhile" and described them as the most productive day in "a very long time".
The White House confirmed that discussions in Switzerland marked a "significant step forward" toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war. A joint US-Ukraine statement released after the meeting indicated that the parties had drafted an "updated and refined peace framework" during their discussions.
European Modifications to US Peace Plan
European allies have submitted a modified version of the American peace proposal that addresses concerns about potential concessions to Moscow. According to documents seen by Reuters, the European version proposes capping Ukraine's military at 800,000 personnel "in peacetime" rather than the blanket 600,000 limit suggested in the original US plan.
The diplomatic developments occurred alongside notable exchanges between Ukrainian and American leadership. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the United States and personally to President Trump for military assistance, specifically mentioning Javelin anti-tank weapons that have "been saving Ukrainian lives".
This expression of thanks came after President Trump had criticised Ukrainian leadership on his Truth Social platform, accusing them of showing "ZERO GRATITUDE" for American efforts to end the conflict.
