Officials say a Russian drone strike in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia killed two and injured children ahead of key talks in the U.S. on war-ending efforts and sanctions.
A Russian drone attack targeted a home in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, killing two people and injuring two children aged 11 and 15, local authorities reported.
The strike happened on the eve of new talks between Ukrainian and American negotiators in the United States, where discussions focus on ending the war.
Details of the Attack and Regional Context
Zaporizhzhia is one of four south-eastern Ukrainian regions that Russia has annexed, though it does not fully control them, and Russian forces have frequently attacked the area since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
During the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aims to address the U.S. decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil, a move implemented to stabilize global energy prices.
Zelensky told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg that Ukraine faces a missile shortage due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which he claims benefits Russia by diverting U.S. resources.
The U.S. waiver on Russian oil sanctions, active for one month, has been welcomed by the Kremlin but raised concerns among Ukrainians and pro-Ukraine campaigners, who see it as a shift in Western pressure on Russia.
Agenda items for the U.S. talks include arranging another trilateral meeting with Russia and addressing tensions between Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, with Ukraine offering its drone technology expertise for potential use against threats like Iran.
