On Saturday, Russia claimed the capture of two villages in Ukraine: Shchebraki, located in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, and Panteleimonivka, situated in the eastern Donetsk region. This advance comes amid ongoing, albeit unsuccessful, efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to negotiate a ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia launched over 170 drones into Ukraine overnight, targeting regions including Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Khmelnytskyi. In Dnipro, a hotel complex was hit, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 21 others, including a pregnant woman.
Zelensky condemned Russia’s actions, stating, “Russia is making a mockery of peacekeeping efforts around the world. It is dragging out the war and sowing terror because it still feels no real pressure.”
The United States has been attempting to negotiate a ceasefire related to conflicts in the Black Sea and strikes on energy infrastructure affecting both countries. Although both Moscow and Kyiv have shown willingness for truces in principle, the implementation remains uncertain, with each side accusing the other of trying to sabotage the process.
Additionally, on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested the establishment of a “transitional administration” for Ukraine under the auspices of the United Nations. This proposal would imply the departure of President Zelensky before any peace agreement is settled.
