At least 14 people were killed in overnight attacks across Ukraine’s eastern region, as Russian forces continue to intensify their offensive in the area.
In one of the deadliest incidents, Russian forces targeted the town of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region on Friday night. According to Ukraine’s emergency services, 11 individuals lost their lives in the strike, while 30 others were injured. The attack also caused significant damage, with eight five-storey apartment buildings, an administrative building, and 30 cars reported as damaged.
In another devastating strike, a Russian drone attack on the town of Bogodukhiv in the Kharkiv region killed at least three people and left seven others injured. The local governor, Oleh Synehubov, confirmed the tragic incident via Telegram.
Meanwhile, in Odesa, a drone strike caused multiple fires, severely affecting a range of buildings, including a hangar containing agricultural equipment, a service station, an auto parts store, and solar panels. A four-storey industrial building also suffered damage due to the fire.
The escalating violence in the eastern part of the country comes amid rising concerns about the toll on civilians and infrastructure. On Saturday, a statement from Alexander Drozdenko, the governor of Leningrad region, revealed that a Ukrainian drone was shot down over Russia’s Kirishi refinery, causing damage to one of its tanks.
The overnight attacks highlight the ongoing devastation caused by the conflict, which has now entered its third year. The international community has remained divided over the response, with former U.S. President Donald Trump stating on Friday that it would be “easier” to negotiate with Russia to end the war than to engage with Ukraine. However, Trump also indicated that he was considering sanctions against Russia in light of the recent attacks.
In diplomatic efforts, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held a call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, discussing the upcoming negotiations between the two nations in Saudi Arabia. During the conversation, the officials emphasized advancing bilateral cooperation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Monday for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Following his visit, Ukrainian officials are slated to hold further discussions with U.S. counterparts in the country on Tuesday, in the wake of a tense televised confrontation between Trump and Zelenskyy last month.
As the war drags on, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with civilian casualties rising and key infrastructure being repeatedly targeted.
