Russia unleashed a deadly wave of drone and missile strikes across Ukraine on Saturday, killing at least two people, including a 9-year-old girl, as uncertainty looms over possible peace talks in Istanbul next week. Ukrainian officials say Russian forces launched 109 drones and five missiles overnight, with Ukrainian air defenses downing three missiles and 42 drones, while another 30 drones failed to reach their targets.
In the Zaporizhzhia region, a 9-year-old girl died in the front-line village of Dolynka after a strike destroyed her home. The blast injured a 16-year-old and damaged several nearby homes, cars, and outbuildings, according to regional Governor Ivan Fedorov. Meanwhile, Russian shelling killed a man in Ukraine’s Kherson region, regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed new gains in the Donetsk and Sumy regions, including the capture of Novopil and Vodolahy villages. Ukrainian officials ordered evacuations from 11 additional settlements in Sumy as Russian troops continue their advance, bringing the total under evacuation orders to 213. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that 50,000 Russian troops have massed near the border, signaling an intent to carve out a buffer zone inside Ukraine.
In retaliation, Ukraine launched drone attacks on Russia’s Kursk region, injuring 14 people, including four children, according to local officials.
Peace talks remain uncertain. While Kyiv has expressed willingness to resume direct negotiations with Russia in Istanbul on Monday, President Zelenskyy says Moscow is stalling by withholding a promised memorandum outlining its position. Zelenskyy accused Russia of “undermining diplomacy” and creating confusion over the format of talks.
Russia has yet to comment on the attacks or provide clarity on its peace proposal. The war, now stretching into its third year, shows no signs of slowing as civilians continue to suffer on both sides.
The escalating violence underscores the fragile state of peace efforts as Russia presses its offensive and Ukraine demands transparency from Moscow. Meanwhile, civilians on both sides continue to bear the brunt of the conflict’s relentless toll.
