Casualties rise from Russian strikes in Ukraine as both sides set conditions for peace talks

International Desk | PNN

Russian attacks across various regions of Ukraine continue to increase casualties. According to regional governor Ivan Fedorov, Russian forces carried out 408 strikes in the Zaporizhzhia region, killing an elderly man in Polohy district. Another person was also killed in the western Khmelnytskyi region.

Citing The Kyiv Independent, at least 35 people were injured nationwide on Wednesday due to Russian strikes. Among them, 14 in Donetsk and 14 in Kherson are in critical condition.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it shot down 170 Ukrainian drones, five airborne bombs, and two rockets within 24 hours. In contrast, Ukraine’s Air Force reported destroying 430 Russian drones and 21 missiles.

In Russia’s Kursk region, a Ukrainian drone strike killed one person, local governor Alexander Khinshtein said. Meanwhile, in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, Russian drone attacks cut off electricity to nearly 30,000 homes.

Russia also claimed it had captured half of Kupiansk city in the Kharkiv region. However, Ukraine’s 10th Army Corps dismissed the claim as propaganda, stating Russian forces had not made any significant advances.

On peace talks, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Moscow. However, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha rejected the idea as an “unacceptable proposal,” adding that seven countries had offered neutral venues for talks—something Zelenskyy was willing to accept at any time.

French President Emmanuel Macron, during a meeting with Zelenskyy in Paris, stated that European allies were prepared to guarantee Ukraine’s security after the war, with assurances becoming effective on the day a peace deal is signed.

Meanwhile, North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un declared full support for Russia, calling it a “fraternal duty.” Former U.S. President Donald Trump also signaled plans to increase troop presence in Poland, pledging to ensure the country’s security.