Russian Strikes Kill 26 in Ukraine Despite Truce Talk

At least 26 people have been killed and more than 80 injured in fresh missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, despite announcements of a possible ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as “deeply cynical and shameless,” accusing Russia of escalating violence at a critical moment.

The strikes took place on Tuesday afternoon, targeting multiple regions. Powerful glide bombs hit eastern Kramatorsk, southeastern Zaporizhzhia, and northern Chernihiv.

In Zaporizhzhia alone, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said at least 12 people were killed and more than a dozen injured.

The attacks came just hours before a ceasefire announced by Kyiv was due to take effect. Moscow had also indicated plans to begin its own ceasefire within days, following reciprocal announcements from both sides.

In Kramatorsk, one of the last Ukrainian-held cities in the Donetsk region, at least five people were killed, according to President Zelenskyy. Four more deaths were reported in the city of Dnipro.

Overnight strikes also hit government gas facilities in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions, leaving at least five people dead.

Naftogaz said the attacks killed three of its employees and two emergency responders, while injuring 37 others.

The company’s chief executive, Serhii Koretskyi, said the strikes caused significant damage and disrupted gas production, with around 3,500 consumers losing supply.

He added that both drones and ballistic missiles were used in the attacks, underscoring the scale and intensity of the assault.