At least 20 people were killed and 32 injured when Russian glide bombs struck residential buildings in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Saturday morning. Local officials confirmed that four of the victims were children. Rescue teams are currently searching through the rubble of a destroyed apartment block, with fears that more people remain trapped underneath.
Rescue operations in Zaporizhzhia
Acting Mayor Regina Harchenko described the scene to Ukrainian television, noting that the ground floor of the building was hit directly, causing the upper floors to collapse. She stated that more than 80 workers are involved in the ongoing search and rescue efforts, which are expected to continue throughout the day. Rescuers are pausing regularly to listen for any sounds from survivors buried under the debris.
Zaporizhzhia is a major regional hub with a population exceeding 700,000. It is located less than 10 miles from the front line and has been subjected to frequent attacks by Russian drones and missiles. Harchenko said the strike hit “our very heart” and expressed deep grief for the families of the victims, particularly the children.
Zelensky links attack to US sanctions deal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky connected the bombardment to a deal announced the previous night by US President Donald Trump. The agreement eases sanctions on Moscow to allow the import of Russian diesel. Zelensky stated that the attacks on Zaporizhzhia were Russia expressing “its thanks” for the policy shift. He added that 13 other regions in Ukraine came under attack overnight, arguing that Moscow interprets any easing of pressure as permission to continue fighting.
Zelensky wrote on social media that Russian strikes on energy facilities in Kyiv demonstrated the country’s “true intentions.” He argued that Russia chooses war and will only end it when it feels its ability to prolong the conflict is diminishing. He noted that the signals received from the US were interpreted by Moscow as a green light to keep attacking.
Analysts view the diesel deal as an attempt by the US president to address domestic concerns about high fuel prices ahead of midterm elections. Zelensky called the arrangement a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that the signals sent were entirely different from what Kyiv hoped for.
The attack adds to a sharp rise in civilian casualties across Ukraine. The United Nations reported a 55% increase in civilian deaths in the first eight months of this year. Recent incidents include a glide bomb strike on civilian buses in Kramatorsk that killed 33 people, and a missile hit on an apartment block in Pryluky that killed 22 people, including five children.
Both sides have intensified attacks on infrastructure as the war drags on. Russia has targeted Ukrainian energy facilities as winter approaches, a strategy used in previous years. Kyiv accuses Moscow of targeting the civilian population, a charge Moscow denies. In response, Ukraine has increasingly struck infrastructure deep inside Russia, including oil refineries and data centers owned by Yandex, aiming to cut revenue streams for the Russian war machine.
Source: BBC
