Russian missile strikes have killed at least 5 people in Ukraine, according to regional officials. The attacks targeted the northeastern Kharkiv region and the Donetsk area, causing significant casualties and property damage. In the town of Chuhuiv, overnight missile strikes resulted in the deaths of 3 people, including a pregnant woman, while another 6 individuals were reported injured. Regional authorities confirmed that residential buildings and local commercial shops were destroyed during the assault.
In the city of Kharkiv, a separate drone attack wounded 16 people, including several children. Images released by Ukrainian emergency services showed burning buildings and charred remains of vehicles in the aftermath of the strikes. Simultaneously, officials in Donetsk reported that 2 people were killed in the towns of Bilozerske and Druzhkivka, while an additional 11 people sustained injuries during shelling in Sloviansk and Shabelkivka. These attacks follow a period of intensified drone warfare, with Ukraine targeting Russian oil facilities and Moscow responding with large-scale aerial bombardments.
Despite the ongoing violence, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has intensified his diplomatic efforts. On Monday, Zelenskyy characterized a phone conversation with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as “very positive.” The president expressed gratitude for their readiness to work actively in the coming weeks to reinvigorate diplomatic channels aimed at ending the four-year war. Zelenskyy emphasized that while global attention has shifted toward developments in Iran, the shared objective of restoring peace in Europe remains a primary focus of his administration.
The Ukrainian leader recently met with British, French, and German officials to coordinate further support. Following a substantive discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelenskyy confirmed that he is preparing for the upcoming G7 summit in France. In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and President Macron reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine. The leaders confirmed they are discussing strategies for the upcoming G7, NATO, and Coalition of the Willing summits, with a specific focus on exerting pressure on Russia’s war economy and pledging additional military defense aid.
Diplomatic pathways, however, remain fraught with challenges. While Zelenskyy has suggested in recent media interviews that divisions exist within the Kremlin regarding the continuation of the conflict, President Vladimir Putin remains dismissive of immediate negotiations. During the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Putin stated that there was “no point” in a direct meeting at this stage, insisting that experts must first resolve underlying issues before any high-level agreements can be considered.
