KYIV: Two people were killed, and dozens were injured in overnight Russian drone strikes across Ukraine, with attacks on energy infrastructure leading to power outages amid freezing temperatures. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Khmelnytskyi and Odesa regions were targeted in an assault involving more than 200 drones.
“Dozens of people have been injured, including a child. As of now, two people have been reported killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones,” he said. Highlighting the impact on critical services, Zelenskyy wrote, “The situation in the energy system remains difficult, but we are doing everything we can to restore all services as quickly as possible”.
He added, “This week alone has seen more than 1,300 attack drones, around 1,050 guided aerial bombs and 29 missiles of various types in total”. Zelenskyy renewed his appeal to world leaders for increased support: “If Russia is deliberately dragging out the diplomatic process, the world’s response must be decisive: more assistance for Ukraine and more pressure on the aggressor”.
The latest Russian strikes came a day after Ukrainian negotiators reached the United States for discussions with President Donald Trump’s administration on steps towards ending the nearly four-year conflict with Russia, Al Jazeera reported.
The talks were expected to centre on security guarantees and Ukraine’s post-war recovery.In the backdrop of these diplomatic efforts, Ukraine and the United States have also drafted a 20-point peace proposal, though Russia has not commented so far, with Washington’s efforts to halt the fighting yet to produce an agreement.
