Zelenskyy says dozens dead, missing in Russian attack days before US talks

Over 50 individuals may be trapped beneath the debris in a Ukrainian village after a Russian attack that killed 33 people, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported. This is one of the deadliest strikes claimed by Moscow throughout the ongoing war. Since the truce with Russia ended at the weekend, the country faced intense bombardment on Monday and Tuesday, casting doubt on the prospects for progress at upcoming US-led negotiations scheduled for Abu Dhabi next week.

Rescue efforts are currently underway in the frontline southeastern village of Komyshuvakha, where Russian forces targeted a former school building reportedly used for distributing aid every Monday. One strike claimed the lives of 33 people, while rescue teams have managed to rescue five individuals, leaving over 50 potentially still trapped in the rubble.

The United Nations human rights mission in Ukraine condemned the attack, expressing concerns that either Russian military forces were aware of the humanitarian distribution or failed to take basic precautions to ascertain the situation in the village. The strike occurred hours after a truce had been observed in the Kherson region, enabling a rare humanitarian mission.

Russian forces also struck a hospital in Kharkiv, causing dozens of injuries and leading to four additional deaths across Ukraine. Zelenskyy, along with his counterparts from the Kremlin and Washington, announced their negotiators would convene in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11 for the first talks between all three parties since February.

During a visit to Berlin, Zelenskyy expressed optimism that these discussions would eventually lead to a trilateral format where leaders engage in dialogue. He emphasized his determination to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite the latter's refusal to engage in face-to-face talks. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz shared Zelenskyy's frustration, stating that there is no indication Russia is willing to engage seriously in negotiations to end the invasion.

He stressed that Ukraine must be included in the discussions, asserting that both Kyiv and its European allies would find it unacceptable if US President Donald Trump were to invite Putin to the upcoming G20 summit in Miami while excluding Zelenskyy. Following the recent ceasefire in Kherson, brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump, Ukraine had proposed an extension of the ceasefire, but Russia responded with further strikes.

Zelenskyy lamented that he had offered a prolonged and expanded ceasefire, only to receive more attacks, shelling, and casualties. Merz emphasized that if Ukraine is to be discussed at international gatherings, then the Ukrainian president must be present as well. Last week's ceasefire in Kherson served as a potential model for other truces, yet Russia has steadfastly rejected such proposals.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently denied the need for a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine and maintains intentions to seize the remaining eastern territories by force. The escalating Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have heightened fears of an arduous winter ahead. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that supplies in the capital are extremely scarce.

US negotiators, including Steve Witkoff, will join European and NATO officials in Brussels for additional talks on Wednesday. Representatives from Ukraine, the United States, France, Germany, Britain, NATO, and the World Bank will participate in these discussions. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed that nearly 500 drones aimed at the capital region were neutralized.

Meanwhile, Britain and France announced the staging of military drills in Poland this month, involving around 2,800 troops from ten European countries, to support Ukraine.