Five Russian bombs kill 17 in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia next day after Trump lets Russia ship first 300,000 tonnes of its diesel

On the night of October 9, a Russian air strike targeting the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia resulted in at least 17 fatalities, including three children, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy linked the attack to a recent decision by US President Donald Trump to permit Russian diesel fuel to enter global markets without requiring Moscow to cease its military operations in Ukraine.

The US release of over 300,000 tonnes of diesel fuel to Russia, further 500,000 tonnes in November, and a total of 1 million tonnes soon after, has sparked criticism from US lawmakers across parties. Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine's determination to continue targeting refineries, emphasizing that these facilities provide additional income for the Kremlin, which subsequently uses the funds to fuel the war effort.

He vowed a response to Russian attacks, highlighting that two of the injured are in critical condition, with doctors working tirelessly to save their lives. Meanwhile, another 12 individuals may have been affected by the strike. Zelenskyy noted that thirteen Ukrainian regions were struck overnight, with residential buildings, infrastructure, and railway facilities damaged.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the latest Russian strikes underscore the necessity of increasing pressure on Russia, arguing that easing restrictions is interpreted by the aggressor as a sign that they can continue waging war and targeting Ukrainian cities. He stressed the significant losses inflicted on Russia by Ukraine's long-range strikes and reiterated Ukraine's commitment to retaliate against Russian attacks.