Recent Russian strikes in Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv have resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to 60 others, including children, according to authorities. This comes as Moscow continues its offensive despite dismissing calls for an unconditional ceasefire.
Ukraine reported receiving the remains of over 1,200 soldiers from Moscow, as part of a repatriation agreement reached during talks last week.
In recent weeks, Russia has launched an unprecedented number of drones and missiles against Ukraine, intensifying three years of relentless bombardment while presenting hardline demands—deemed “ultimatums” by Kyiv—to end its prolonged invasion.
The city of Kharkiv, located just 30 kilometers from the Russian border, has again faced significant attacks.
A burnt car in front of a blazing home following a Russian drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine
Oleg Synegubov, the regional governor of Kharkiv, reported three fatalities.
“Each new day brings fresh cowardly strikes from Russia, and nearly every attack is deliberate,” he stated.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed on social media, “Russia deserves heightened pressure,” following the latest shelling in Kharkiv.
Journalists from AFP in the city observed damaged apartment buildings, charred vehicles, and debris scattered across the streets in the aftermath of the strikes.
Olena Khoruzheva recounted seeking refuge in a hallway with her two children when the drones approached.
Damage to buildings and vehicles after attacks on Kharkiv
“The younger one lay on the floor, arms over his head. I shielded him,” said the 41-year-old pharmacist.
“We heard it coming, followed by silence, and then we were thrown against the wall… there were further explosions, then we could hear people crying for help.”
Her 65-year-old neighbor was among those killed.
This morning, an AFP reporter witnessed first responders retrieving one deceased individual from an apartment block, placing the body in a black bag.
Stalled peace negotiations
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 85 drones overnight—less than in prior days.
On the front lines, Russian troops have been steadily advancing.
The Russian defense ministry announced the deployment of additional units into the Dnipropetrovsk region, initiating an offensive for the first time during its 40-month invasion.
US President Donald Trump has been advocating for a peace agreement between the two nations, but progress has been minimal.
In response, Zelensky has urged the West to impose stringent economic sanctions on Russia, which he believes would curtail its ability to wage war.
He is expected to reiterate this message to Trump and European leaders at the G7 summit in Canada, scheduled to begin on Sunday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the West to intensify pressure on Russia (file image)
Leaders from several southeastern European countries were anticipated in the port city of Odesa, mere hours after it faced Russian attacks.
Two rounds of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have failed to produce a resolution to the conflict.
Russia has rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire, demanding that Ukraine relinquish significant territories and drop its NATO aspirations.
However, both sides agreed to exchange over 1,000 prisoners of war and return the bodies of deceased soldiers.
Ukraine stated that Russia had returned the remains of 1,212 deceased soldiers and is in the process of identifying them.
Returned bodies
Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s chief negotiator, confirmed the exchange, stating that Russia received “the remains of 27 Russian soldiers.”
Ukraine did not specify how many bodies it returned to Russia, which contends that Western estimates regarding its casualty figures are inaccurate.
Moscow spent several days accusing Kyiv of refusing to collect the bodies after stating they had been delivered to the border in refrigerated trucks on Saturday.
Ukrainian military personnel under the age of 25 released from Russian captivity on Monday
The two nations carried out groups of prisoner swaps on Monday and Tuesday, though neither disclosed the number freed.
A new exchange of “severely wounded” individuals has been scheduled for tomorrow, Medinsky indicated.
Following Russia’s assaults, Kyiv retaliated with drone strikes. Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have intercepted 32 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Both parties have downplayed the likelihood of significant headway at talks in Istanbul.
While open to diplomacy, Zelensky deemed further discussions with the current Russian delegation “pointless,” previously labeling them as “empty heads” due to their inability to agree on a ceasefire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled Kyiv a “terrorist” regime and questioned the rationale for negotiating with them.
