Russian missile strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro has left four people dead and around 40 others injured, according to local officials. Although the exact weapon has not been officially confirmed, several reports suggest that a ballistic missile may have been used in the Russian attack, which occurred early Monday morning. Footage posted online showed a powerful explosion erupting near a busy motorway. Local media outlets reported that an office building, several cars, and nearby shops suffered extensive damage. Dnipro, located roughly 100 kilometers from the active front line, has been targeted repeatedly since the beginning of Moscow’s full scale invasion in February 2022. Monday’s strike added to a long list of Russian attacks that have hit the region over the past two years. The latest assault came as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict are intensifying. The timing of the Russian attack coincided with preparations for a high level meeting in Moscow. US special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, as part of an ongoing attempt to advance a potential peace agreement. Witkoff has held several meetings with Putin throughout the year but has not yet visited Kyiv.
Four Killed in Russian Attack as Ukraine Peace Negotiations Intensify Globally
One day before the Dnipro strike, a Ukrainian delegation met with Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump’s son in law Jared Kushner in Florida. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the discussions were very constructive, though he acknowledged that difficult issues still need to be resolved. Rubio echoed this sentiment, describing the meeting as productive but stressing that significant work remains. The Florida talks are the latest development in weeks of intensive shuttle diplomacy. Both Ukrainian and Russian delegations have held separate discussions with US officials about possible steps toward a peace plan. Despite these efforts, major disagreements persist. Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from areas of the Donbas region that remain under Kyiv’s control, an ultimatum Ukraine has repeatedly rejected. Putin insisted that if Ukraine does not retreat, Russia will achieve its goals through military force. Zelensky responded by accusing Moscow of disregarding genuine efforts to end the war. Security guarantees for Ukraine remain another major point of contention. Kyiv and its European partners support long term protections, including potential NATO membership. Moscow strongly opposes this, and Trump has also publicly ruled out backing Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.
Zelensky, meanwhile, has traveled to Paris to secure additional support from French President Emmanuel Macron and is expected to visit Ireland next. There is growing concern in Kyiv and across Europe that the United States may be becoming more receptive to Russian demands, leaving European allies sidelined from key decisions. Political pressure on Zelensky has intensified following a corruption scandal at home. His chief of staff Andriy Yermak resigned after investigators raided his residence, though he has not been accused of any offense. Two cabinet ministers were also dismissed. Trump commented that Ukraine was dealing with some difficult problems and repeated his belief that both sides want the war to end. Since Russia launched its invasion on 24 February 2022, tens of thousands of soldiers and thousands of civilians have been killed, and millions have been displaced. The conflict itself stretches back to 2014 when Ukraine’s pro Russian president was removed from power and Russia annexed Crimea while supporting separatist movements in eastern Ukraine.
source:BBC
