Zelenskyy Calls for Inclusion in US-Russia Talks Over Ukraine War

A Russian missile strike in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown of Kryvyi Rig has resulted in the deaths of 18 individuals, including nine children, according to local officials. The attack, described as one of the deadliest in recent weeks, targeted a residential area near a children's playground, leading to at least 61 injuries, reports Dnipropetrovsk governor Sergiy Lysak. Ukrainian military administrator Oleksandr Vilkul condemned the assault, labeling it "mass murder of civilians" and announced three days of mourning from April 7 to 9. In contrast, Russia's defense ministry claimed the missile targeted a restaurant where military leaders and Western instructors were present. This assertion was dismissed by Ukrainian leaders, who insisted the strike was a deliberate act of terror against civilians. Zelenskyy emphasized that the incident illustrates Russia's ongoing disregard for a ceasefire, stating, "There is only one reason why this continues — Russia does not want a ceasefire." Amid increasing tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly attempting to mediate a ceasefire agreement.

A Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has resulted in at least 14 fatalities, including six children, and left dozens wounded, as reported by regional head Serhii Lysak. The attack occurred on Friday evening, damaging five residential buildings and obliterating part of a 10-storey apartment block. Images from the scene depicted victims lying outside in a playground cordoned off by police. President Volodymyr Zelensky, who grew up in Kryvyi Rih, condemned the attack on social media, asserting that it illustrates Russia's unwillingness to engage in a ceasefire. "There is only one reason why this continues: Russia doesn’t want a ceasefire," he stated. Local officials reported that over 30 individuals received treatment for injuries, with the youngest victim being only three months old. The assault is among the deadliest in Kryvyi Rih since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. This strike follows earlier attacks in the week, underscoring the ongoing violence as global leaders continue to call for a ceasefire.

A drone attack by Russia on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Friday night resulted in three fatalities and twelve injuries, as reported by Ukrainian officials. The attack involved 12 drones targeting residential buildings, vehicles, and communal structures, according to police statements. Regional head Ivan Fedorov revealed that emergency teams were deployed to search for survivors amidst the rubble. This escalation occurred despite a recently agreed limited ceasefire following discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. While the U.S. administration interpreted the ceasefire as encompassing "energy and infrastructure," the Kremlin clarified that it pertains strictly to "energy infrastructure." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed desires to include railways and ports under protection. The deceased casualties included three members of one family, highlighting the human toll of ongoing conflicts. In response to the drone assault, Ukraine’s military stated that it successfully intercepted a significant portion of the nearly 180 drones launched by Russia overnight, although Moscow also claimed to have downed 47 Ukrainian drones.