Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia kills 12, including 3 children

A Russian airstrike on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, claimed the lives of twelve individuals, among them three young children, on Saturday, according to Reuters. The attack occurred just a day after US President Donald Trump lifted sanctions on Russian diesel, a move that Ukraine deemed a significant blow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed outrage, stating that Russia had taken advantage of the sanctions removal by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in the city.

The strikes are part of a series that have caused numerous civilian casualties in Ukraine over recent weeks, with around 80 people killed in attacks over two days last week, Zelensky lamented. He emphasized that Russia interprets any easing of pressure as a green light to continue its offensive and bombard cities indiscriminately.

Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports was influenced by his administration's efforts to alleviate rising fuel prices following tensions with Iran. Ukraine had urged the US to intensify its pressure on Moscow for meaningful negotiations to bring an end to the four-and-a-half-year conflict. Simultaneously, Trump criticized Ukrainian airstrikes on Russian oil refineries, attributing to the surge in global fuel prices.

Kyiv has called for a cease-fire on all attacks targeting energy facilities, as Russia persists in targeting Ukraine's power grid. The recent strikes followed discussions between Ukrainian and European officials, as well as US negotiators, aimed at crafting a unified plan to put an end to the war, a source familiar with the talks revealed.