Russian Forces Launch Deadly Attacks After Ceasefire Expiry
Russian forces launched attacks in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region on Tuesday, killing at least six people, regional officials said, after the expiry of a three-day ceasefire. Ukrainian officials reported that Russia deployed more than 200 drones overnight, dashing hopes that the temporary truce, which ended on Monday, would be extended.
Civilian Casualties and Damage
A drone attack on an apartment building in Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, killed two people and injured four, including a nine-month-old girl whose leg was severed. The regional governor and local military administration head confirmed the injuries. North-east of Kryvyi Rih, an aerial bomb strike killed four and injured three others, according to officials.
President Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, stating: "After the end of the partial three-day ceasefire, Russia continues to kill and maim Ukrainians and pressure on it must therefore in no way be weakened." He reported that drones were intercepted over several regions but caused damage to energy facilities, apartment buildings, a kindergarten, and a civilian locomotive.
Widespread Impact Across Ukraine
In Kyiv, debris from a downed drone fell on the roof of a 16-storey residential building in the northern Obolon district, sparking a fire, said Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Two people were hurt in the central Cherkasy region, and damage was also recorded in the Zhytomyr region and the Chernihiv region near the Russian border. Two people were injured in strikes on Dnipro and Kherson. Russian drones hit energy infrastructure in the Mykolaiv region, causing blackouts, said Governor Vitaliy Kim.
Ukraine's Response and International Context
Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck gas facilities in Russia's Orenburg region, over 1,500 km from Ukraine's borders. He emphasized: "Overall, Ukraine's current position on the frontline, in our long-range strikes and in our joint results with our partners are at their highest level in years. We must maintain this level and continue to achieve results." Zelenskyy also noted that Kyiv is working with European allies and NATO to develop technologies to defend against ballistic missiles, with 13 countries and NATO representatives participating in talks on Tuesday.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas suggested that signs of Vladimir Putin's weakening position could open a window to ending the war. Putin recently indicated the war was "heading to an end," but Kallas countered: "What his statement really shows is that he's not in a strong position. So I think there's an opportunity for ending this war."
