A Russian drone hit a residential building in Zaporizhzhia, killing two people and wounding two children, local officials say.
The attack came on the eve of new negotiations between Ukrainian and American delegations in the United States.
The talks, which had been paused after the recent escalation in the Middle East, are expected to cover Ukraine’s response to Washington’s temporary easing of sanctions on Russian oil.
Kyiv sees the U.S.
waiver — intended to stabilize global energy costs — as potentially undermining pressure on Moscow.
Mediated by Washington, previous rounds of negotiations have not produced a ceasefire or changed Russia’s stance, and participants do not expect a major breakthrough this time.
Agenda items include arranging an additional trilateral meeting with Russia and trying to smooth tensions between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S.
President Donald Trump.
Mr.
Zelensky has also proposed sharing Ukraine’s drone knowledge and systems with the United States, arguing that the technology could help in both offensive and defensive operations related to the Middle East flare-up.
Zaporizhzhia has been a frequent target since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Russia has declared four southeastern regions, including Zaporizhzhia, as annexed territory, though it does not fully control them.
Kyiv says the diversion of Western munitions to the Middle East has left Ukraine short of missiles, a situation President Zelensky warned could be exploited by Moscow.
He has suggested that Moscow would benefit from prolonged wider conflict that draws U.S.
resources away from supporting Ukraine.
The U.S.
month-long waiver easing restrictions on buyers of Russian oil drew praise from Moscow and alarm from many in Ukraine, who view it as a sign the Western consensus on maximum economic pressure is fracturing.
The decision will be a key point of discussion as negotiators meet in the coming days.
