Four Killed, 40 Injured in Russian Missile Strike on Dnipro as Peace Talks Intensify
Dnipro, located about 100 kilometers from the front line, has continued to face repeated attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
The attack comes at a critical moment in ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow on Tuesday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of intensified shuttle diplomacy involving both Ukrainian and Russian delegations.
Over the weekend, Ukrainian representatives met with Witkoff, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Jared Kushner in Florida. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the talks as “very constructive” but acknowledged that several difficult issues remain unresolved — including Russia’s demand that Ukraine withdraw from remaining parts of the Donbas region, a condition Kyiv insists it will never accept.
Security guarantees for Ukraine also remain a major sticking point. Kyiv seeks protection through alliances like NATO, but Russia strongly opposes such a move, and U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out Ukraine’s membership in the military alliance.
Meanwhile, Zelensky has arrived in Paris to secure additional European support and is expected to travel to Ireland on Tuesday. This comes amid growing concerns in Kyiv and Europe that the U.S. may be leaning toward concessions favorable to Moscow.
Zelensky’s negotiating position has also been shaken by a domestic corruption scandal, which recently led to the resignation of his chief of staff and the dismissal of two cabinet ministers, although no charges have been filed.
Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, tens of thousands of soldiers and thousands of civilians have been killed or injured, with more than seven million people forced to flee their homes. The conflict traces back to 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine.