Russian Missile Strike Kills 4 in Dnipro Amid Ongoing Peace Talks (Source: X/ @Ania_In_UA)
A Russian missile attack hit the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Monday, killing four people and injuring 40, according to Ukrainian authorities. Unconfirmed reports indicate that a ballistic missile may have been used. Videos online showed a large explosion along a motorway, damaging an office building, vehicles, and shops. Dnipro, located about 100 km (62 miles) from the frontline, has faced repeated Russian attacks since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
The attack came a day before US special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss ways to end the war. Witkoff has met with Putin several times this year but has not visited Kyiv.
On Sunday, a Ukrainian delegation met Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Jared Kushner in Florida. Zelensky described the talks as "very constructive" but acknowledged some "tough issues" remain, echoing Rubio’s assessment that more work is needed.
The Florida meeting is part of weeks of shuttle diplomacy, with US officials engaging separately with Ukrainian and Russian delegations. However, significant disagreements remain. Russia insists Ukraine withdraw from the Donbas region, which Kyiv refuses. Putin said, "If they don't withdraw, we'll achieve this by force of arms," while Zelensky criticized Russia for disregarding efforts to end the war.
Ukraine’s security is a key point of negotiation. Kyiv and European allies want guarantees, including potential NATO membership, to prevent future attacks. Russia opposes this, and Donald Trump has ruled out allowing Ukraine into NATO.
Zelensky has traveled to Paris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron and will visit Ireland on Tuesday. Concerns have grown that the US may be more accommodating to Russia than Ukraine, sidelining European input in the peace process.
Zelensky faces domestic challenges due to a corruption scandal. His chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who led Ukraine’s delegation in peace talks, resigned after investigators raided his home. Although he faces no charges, two cabinet ministers were also dismissed. Trump commented that Ukraine had "some difficult little problems," referencing the scandal while reiterating that both Russia and Ukraine want to end the war.
Since the February 24, 2022 invasion, tens of thousands of soldiers have been killed or injured, thousands of civilians have died, and at least seven million people have become refugees. The conflict has its roots in 2014, when Ukraine’s pro-Russian president was overthrown, prompting Russia to annex Crimea and support uprisings in eastern Ukraine.
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