Russian Attack on Zaporizhzhia Kills 7, Including 3 Children, as US-Ukraine-Europe Talks Continue in Miami

A Russian attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed seven people, including three children, early Saturday, according to regional officials. Ten others were wounded, and rescue crews continued searching the rubble for people who may still be trapped. Regional military administration head Mykhailo Semikin said the attack struck several locations across the city at the same time.

Overnight Drone Attacks on Both Sides

Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 160 drones overnight, with 117 shot down or suppressed. In Russia’s Rostov region, Governor Yury Slyusar said a Ukrainian drone attack injured six people and damaged several apartment buildings and private houses in Rostov-on-Don, along with a new building in Bataysk and two vessels in Azov. Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted or destroyed 560 Ukrainian drones, and that its forces struck Ukrainian port infrastructure and vessels, including a cargo ship carrying military-related supplies to Odesa. Independent verification of claims by either side remains difficult.

Miami Talks

The attacks came hours after negotiators from the United States, Ukraine and Europe held six hours of talks in Miami, according to a person familiar with the discussions. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner attended, along with Ukrainian delegates and representatives from European countries and NATO. The aim is to agree in the coming weeks on a unified proposal to present to Russia, with the goal of a breakthrough before winter.

Sanctions on Russian Fuel Lifted

On Friday, US President Donald Trump lifted sanctions on Russian fuel and said Moscow had agreed to supply diesel to global markets to help bring down fuel prices. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the arrangement, arguing that revenue from Russian diesel sales would help finance Moscow’s war effort, and said he believed Ukraine’s negotiators were being used as a smokescreen.

Putin’s Position

Russian President Vladimir Putin said after a phone call with Trump that an immediate resumption of peace talks was unlikely, citing Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow.