A Russian drone strike killed a family of three in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region as Moscow continues its military campaign while engaging in peace talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The attack, which occurred early Saturday, struck a residential home, killing a 14-year-old girl, her 38-year-old mother, and her father. A clock found in the rubble stopped at 1:05 a.m., marking the moment of impact.
A neighbor described the scene, saying rescuers first pulled the mother from the debris. “She was still alive. She had severe head burns,” the witness said. The daughter was also rescued alive but succumbed to her injuries despite doctors’ efforts to resuscitate her. The father was found dead at the scene.
Authorities reported that Zaporizhzhia was hit by 12 drones in the latest wave of attacks. Regional official Ivan Fedorov confirmed that residential buildings, vehicles, and public infrastructure were set ablaze during the strike. Emergency responders worked through the night to locate survivors.
Ukraine’s air force stated that Russian forces launched a total of 179 drones and decoys overnight, with 100 intercepted and another 63 lost due to electronic jamming. Drone debris caused additional fires in the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its air defense systems shot down 47 Ukrainian drones in retaliation.
Despite continued attacks, Ukraine and Russia recently agreed in principle to a limited ceasefire following discussions with Trump. The agreement, which focuses on halting strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days, does not extend to broader military operations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly insisted on conditions that include restrictions on Ukraine’s ability to import Western weapons and recruit troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow’s position suggests Russia is not ready for a full ceasefire, warning European nations must be involved in negotiations.
Talks on security arrangements continue as Western allies discuss deploying peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. U.S. officials are set to meet with Russian negotiators in Saudi Arabia to finalize technical details.
Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine remains open to a broader ceasefire, stating, “We will not be against any format, any steps toward an unconditional ceasefire.”
the-sun.com
