A Russian drone strike targeting a bus transporting miners has tragically claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals, as reported by Ukrainian officials on Sunday. The incident occurred in the Dnipropetrovsk region, about 65 kilometers (around 40 miles) from the frontline. Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister, condemned the attack as a “cynical and targeted” act against energy workers.
This devastating event unfolded just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans for new peace discussions in a challenging atmosphere marked by a suspected suspension of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. However, the anticipated second round of talks featuring Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. officials in Abu Dhabi was postponed, with Zelenskyy stating they would now take place on Wednesday and Thursday. The reasons for the delay remained unclear, and confirmations from Moscow or the U.S. were not forthcoming. Despite the talks, Russia has persistently maintained its assault on Ukraine.
Earlier on the same day, another drone strike in Dnipro resulted in the deaths of a man and woman, as highlighted by regional military administration head Oleksandr Ganzha. Furthermore, a maternity hospital in the southern Zaporizhzhia region was struck by a drone, leading to injuries for at least seven people, including two women undergoing medical examinations.
On Friday, the Kremlin had reportedly agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure at the request of Donald Trump, with Kyiv indicating a willingness to reciprocate. This pause was expected to extend until the following Friday. Despite the reported lack of major strikes on energy systems recently, Zelenskyy noted ongoing attacks targeting railway and logistics infrastructure. He mentioned Russian assaults on power grids in two cities across the Dnipro River but refrained from directly accusing Russia of violating the ceasefire.
Amid these tensions, Ukraine is bracing for a significant cold snap, with temperatures plummeting to around minus 15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit) and forecasted to drop further below minus 20 degrees Celsius in Kyiv. Ukrenergo, the country’s grid operator, announced that planned outages will be implemented nationwide as part of ongoing efforts to manage the electricity supply.
In a gesture of gratitude, Ukraine’s defense minister thanked Elon Musk for his assistance in preventing Russia from utilizing Starlink satellites for drone strikes, highlighting early positive outcomes from these attempts.
Additionally, Russian forces have claimed control over the village of Zelene in the Kharkiv region and the settlement of Sukhetske in Donetsk, as stated by the Russian defense ministry, which also reported strikes on transport facilities supporting the Ukrainian military.
As the situation unfolds, there remains a glimmer of hope that concerted diplomatic efforts may eventually lead to a resolution of the conflict, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in times of crisis.