Kyiv: Ukraine reported that at least two people were killed and 12 others injured due to Russian airstrikes in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region. The attack occurred on Wednesday morning, targeting a recreation center according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service on Telegram.
According to Anadolu Agency, the statement revealed that among the injured were at least two children. Zaporizhzhia Governor Ivan Fedorov mentioned on Telegram that high-explosive aerial bombs resulted in at least four strikes in a central area. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack on X, stating it was an act of cruelty intended to instill fear.
Zelenskyy also noted that Russian forces targeted power grids in the Dnipropetrovsk region and a gas facility in Novosilske, Odesa region. He highlighted the impact of the attack on hundreds of families left without gas and criticized it as a deliberate attempt to disrupt preparations for the heating season. He reiterated the need for increased pressure on Moscow to achieve a ceasefire.
The Ukrainian Energy Ministry specified that the attack in Odesa targeted a gas compressor station near the Romanian border, which was crucial for connecting Greek LNG terminals with Ukrainian gas storage facilities. This route had been delivering LNG from the United States and test volumes of Azerbaijani gas.
The events unfolded as US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks come ahead of Trump's deadline for Russia to reach a ceasefire with Ukraine. Trump had initially given a 50-day window in June, threatening import duties on Russia and its partners, which he later reduced to 10 days due to his dissatisfaction with Putin.
Ukraine's Air Force reported successfully shooting down 36 of 45 Russian drones launched overnight. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces targeted gas transportation facilities and warehouses storing long-range drones and temporary deployment points over the past day.