Russian forces carried out overnight strikes in eastern Ukraine that claimed the lives of at least 12 people, according to the country’s emergency services. In the Donetsk region, a Russian assault in the centre of Dobropillia killed 11 individuals and injured 30 others.
In a separate attack early Saturday, a drone strike in the city of Bogodukhiv in the Kharkiv region claimed one life and wounded seven more. These incidents come just days ahead of a high-stakes meeting in Saudi Arabia between US and Ukrainian negotiators aimed at brokering a ceasefire.
The military actions occur against a backdrop of heightened rhetoric and shifting alliances. US President Donald Trump, who has recently threatened new sanctions and tariffs on Russia, expressed a preference for negotiating directly with Moscow over Kyiv.
During a White House briefing, Trump stated, “I’m finding it more difficult frankly to deal with Ukraine, and they don’t have the cards. It may be easier dealing with Russia.” His comments followed his earlier warning on social media that significant banking sanctions, tariffs, and further punitive measures were on the table until a ceasefire and a final peace agreement were reached.
Diplomatic efforts continue to intensify as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to travel to Saudi Arabia for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Zelensky is expected to engage with both Saudi and US officials as part of a broader initiative to end the conflict.
On the eve of these discussions, Zelensky reiterated his country’s strong desire for peace, emphasizing that the first step towards ending the three-year war is a mutual halt to aerial and naval attacks by both sides. This proposal comes as Ukraine seeks to create conditions for a sustainable and lasting truce, even as the Kremlin has repeatedly ruled out a temporary ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the military situation remains volatile on both sides of the border. Russia’s defense ministry reported that its air defense systems had intercepted 31 Ukrainian drones over the previous night, while a Ukrainian drone attack targeted Russia’s Kirishi oil refinery, damaging part of its infrastructure.
Additional reports from the Leningrad and Belgorod regions indicate further clashes, with civilian casualties and ongoing tensions along the border.
As the international community watches closely, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reaffirmed the necessity for “all sides to take steps to secure a sustainable peace.” US envoy Steve Witkoff is set to discuss the framework for an initial ceasefire at the upcoming talks, underscoring the urgency of finding common ground amid the escalating violence.
