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RUSSIAN STRIKES KILL 12 IN UKRAINE, INCLUDING THREE CHILDREN
A Russian aerial attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed 12 people, including three children, on Saturday, October 10, after ...
By Wavers News
Another 14 people were injured, with two reportedly suffering serious injuries. Emergency workers continued searching damaged buildings as authorities assessed the destruction and worked to establish whether additional people remained missing.
The attack came a day after US President Donald Trump announced plans to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised the decision, arguing that reducing economic pressure on Moscow could encourage Russia to continue its military campaign.
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS DESTROYED IN ZAPORIZHZHIA
Russian forces struck several locations in Zaporizhzhia during the early hours of Saturday, using five guided aerial bombs against residential buildings.
One of the strikes destroyed part of an apartment block, killing residents and trapping others beneath collapsed concrete and debris.
Among those killed was a six-year-old girl whose body was recovered by emergency workers. Her grandfather later spoke about the loss as rescuers continued working at the damaged building.
Footage from the scene showed firefighters and rescue personnel moving through the rubble, searching for survivors and helping residents escape damaged apartments.
The attack left buildings severely damaged and disrupted the lives of residents in the affected neighbourhoods.
Zaporizhzhia is a major industrial city in southeastern Ukraine. Its outskirts lie less than 30 kilometres from the frontline, and the city has repeatedly been targeted during Russia's war against Ukraine.
RESCUE OPERATIONS CONTINUE AFTER THE BOMBARDMENT
Emergency teams worked through the damaged structures to locate people who might still be trapped beneath the debris.
Rescuers used heavy equipment to remove rubble while firefighters searched damaged apartments and other affected areas.
Authorities said the attack had left 14 people injured, including two whose conditions were described as serious.
The full extent of the damage was still being assessed as emergency operations continued.
The latest bombardment adds to the toll of civilian casualties from Russian attacks across Ukraine, where residential areas and critical infrastructure have repeatedly been damaged during the conflict.
ZELENSKYY CRITICISES TRUMP'S SANCTIONS DECISION
Zelenskyy sharply criticised Washington's decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports, linking the move to the wider question of international pressure on Moscow.
The Ukrainian president argued that Russia could interpret a reduction in economic restrictions as a signal that it could continue fighting without facing stronger consequences.
His criticism came as Ukraine continued urging its international partners to maintain pressure on the Kremlin and support efforts to secure an end to the war.
The sanctions decision has raised concerns in Kyiv because revenues from Russian energy exports can help support the country's economy during the conflict.
However, Zelenskyy's comments represent the Ukrainian government's assessment of the political implications of the decision. There is no established evidence that the sanctions announcement caused the attack on Zaporizhzhia.
WHY WASHINGTON EASED THE DIESEL RESTRICTIONS
Trump announced the decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports on Friday as his administration sought to address rising fuel prices.
The announcement followed a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the two leaders discussed Russian fuel supplies.
Trump said Russia would supply more than 300,000 metric tonnes of diesel to US and international markets immediately, with additional deliveries planned.
The decision marked a significant shift in Washington's approach to restrictions intended to limit Moscow's energy revenues.
The administration's move came amid concerns about fuel costs and their potential political consequences ahead of the US congressional midterm elections scheduled for November.
For Ukraine, however, the decision has raised questions about whether economic measures against Russia will remain a central part of the international response to the war.
DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS FACE FRESH CHALLENGES
The attack occurred as Ukrainian and European officials held discussions with US negotiators in Miami on Friday to develop a common proposal for ending the conflict.
The discussions were intended to advance diplomatic efforts, but Trump's announcement about Russian diesel supplies reportedly caught Kyiv by surprise.
Zelenskyy expressed frustration over the timing, suggesting that Ukraine's representatives were placed in a difficult position while negotiations were under way.
Putin also spoke with Trump by telephone. Following their conversation, the Russian president indicated that an immediate resumption of peace talks was unlikely, citing Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow.
The latest developments illustrate the difficulties facing diplomatic efforts as both sides continue military operations while disagreements persist over the conditions for negotiations.
POWER DISRUPTIONS REPORTED IN KYIV
Elsewhere in Ukraine, parts of Kyiv and the surrounding region experienced electricity outages on Saturday.
The disruption brought the city's metro services to a halt for the second time in a week, adding to the difficulties faced by residents amid continuing attacks on infrastructure.
Ukraine has repeatedly reported damage to its power network during Russian strikes. The latest outages highlighted the wider effects of the war beyond the immediate areas targeted by bombs.
Maintaining electricity and other essential services remains a significant challenge as Ukrainian authorities attempt to protect infrastructure while responding to continued military pressure.
CIVILIANS CONTINUE TO BEAR THE COST OF THE WAR
The deaths in Zaporizhzhia underscore the continuing danger facing civilians in Ukrainian cities located near the frontline.
Residential buildings have repeatedly been damaged in aerial attacks, leaving families dead, injured or displaced from their homes.
The latest bombardment has also intensified debate over international policy towards Russia, particularly as governments weigh economic restrictions, energy costs and efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict.
For residents of Zaporizhzhia, the immediate priority remains recovering victims, treating the injured and assessing the damage caused by the strikes.
Meanwhile, diplomatic discussions continue against a backdrop of ongoing attacks and disagreements over how best to bring the war to an end.