Russian attack on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia kills seven as war intensifies

A Russian airstrike in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Saturday claimed at least seven lives and injured ten others, according to regional officials. The early-morning bombing targeted multiple locations, leaving residents trapped under fallen structures as emergency crews scrambled to rescue them. Among the victims were three children struck by Russian aerial bombs, targeting residential buildings, as reported by Ukrainian officials.

This incident adds to the growing civilian toll from Russian assaults across Ukraine, with over 55 people killed in the span of four days. Russian forces have ramped up attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing power outages and disrupting vital services as colder weather approaches. In response, Ukraine has retaliated with drone strikes on Russian targets, including oil facilities, as both nations persist in striking assets relevant to their respective war efforts.

The latest attack occurred shortly after US President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply Russian diesel to American and global markets. Trump stated that Russia would deliver over 300,000 tonnes of diesel initially, followed by further shipments to alleviate fuel prices. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the deal, cautioning that additional Russian energy profits could bolster Moscow's military operations.

The agreement coincided with talks in Miami involving US, Ukrainian, and European representatives aiming to draft a framework for ending the conflict. The Kremlin affirmed on Friday that Putin deemed an immediate restart of peace talks improbable, citing Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow during Russia's parliamentary elections. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the situation as a perilous stalemate, although Washington pledged to persist in diplomatic efforts.

The escalating hostilities and diplomatic impasse unfold as Ukraine braced for another harsh winter plagued by attacks on its power and heating systems.