Russian Strikes in Ukraine Kill Four Amid Fading Peace Talks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Expresses Openness to Diverting Weapons to Ukraine

At least four people have been killed and over a dozen others wounded in recent attacks on Ukrainian cities Odesa and Kryvyi Rih. The strikes, which occurred early Saturday, targeted residential areas, a maternity hospital, and an industrial site.

According to reports, one person died from injuries sustained in the strikes in Odesa, with 11 people injured, including a child. Damage was reported to a maternity hospital roof, high-rise buildings, and homes in several districts. Fires broke out on the upper floors of an apartment block, while cars were damaged and residential buildings had shattered windows and broken balconies.

In Kryvyi Rih, two men were killed and two others wounded in a morning strike that hit an industrial site. Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipro regional administration, reported that fires erupted at the facility.

Separately, Russian drones attacked Ukrainian gas production facilities in the Poltava region, killing one person, according to Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated his openness to diverting weapons to Ukraine. He made this statement after accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of lying over United States demands. Rubio also expressed support for a joint US-Israel attack on Iran, stating that the US is willing to shift assistance to Ukraine if needed.

In an interview, Zelenskyy stated that the US is pressuring Ukraine to give up the eastern Donbas region to Russia before finalizing any post-war security guarantees. Rubio responded by saying that this statement was false and that security guarantees would only be attached to an end to the war.

The situation remains tense, with diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis and reach a ceasefire deal ongoing. There are currently no talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Source: Al Jazeera