Russian airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 15 individuals in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, as confirmed by Ukrainian authorities on Saturday. This incident occurred shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a recent agreement to purchase Russian diesel, a move that Ukraine cautioned would further support Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine.
Among the casualties were three children who lost their lives when Russian aerial bombs targeted residential structures in Zaporizhzhia, as reported by Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. The attack also left a minimum of 16 individuals injured.
Despite the ongoing deadlock between the Russian and Ukrainian armies on the front lines, both countries are engaged in a prolonged aerial conflict, more than 4.5 years following Moscow’s large-scale invasion. Ukraine is facing challenges in responding to the escalating Russian attacks, which have resulted in the deaths of over 60 individuals within the past four days.
In a surprising turn of events, Trump revealed on Friday that a deal had been reached to acquire diesel from Russia, marking a significant departure from the longstanding U.S. pressure on Moscow concerning its actions in Ukraine. This move was seen as an effort to address the surging fuel prices ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.
Expressing his discontent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the U.S.-Russia diesel agreement, linking it to the subsequent deadly airstrikes in Zaporizhzhia. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for clearer signals to deter Moscow from intensifying its military operations.
Instead of discussing a suspected plague case in Russia with President Vladimir Putin, Trump decided to announce an immediate supply of over 300,000 tons of diesel from Russia, with additional shipments scheduled for the coming months. This abrupt announcement contradicted a comprehensive Russia sanctions law recently signed by Trump to curb the financial resources sustaining Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
Responding to the deal online, Zelenskyy condemned it as a move that would only embolden Russia to continue its aggression, prolonging the ongoing war and causing further harm. The Ukrainian Embassy in Washington echoed Zelenskyy’s sentiments, labeling the decision as weak coming from strong allies.
The announcement of the diesel deal coincided with discussions between Trump’s envoy and son-in-law with Ukrainian officials in Miami to explore potential solutions to end the conflict. Zelenskyy expressed disappointment, viewing the situation as a misuse of partnerships and a lack of fairness in their interactions.