YIV, Ukraine – A Russian attack in Smie city on Tuesday resulted in at least three fatalities and numerous injuries, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy labeled as “cruel.”
Authorities reported that a series of rockets hit residential buildings and a medical facility in the northeastern region, just a day after direct peace talks wrapped up without any significant progress.
Zelenskyy remarked that one rocket’s impact damaged the walls of an apartment structure without exploding.
“This speaks volumes about Russia’s so-called ‘desire’ to end the conflict,” he expressed on Telegram. “Without pressure from the global community and decisive actions from leaders in the US, Europe, and beyond, it’s clear that Putin wouldn’t even consider a ceasefire.”
A recent speech in Istanbul by delegations from both sides led to an agreement to exchange deceased and injured soldiers. However, the gap between their conditions for ceasing hostilities remains wide.
According to the United Nations, the ongoing war has resulted in over 12,000 civilian casualties in Ukraine, along with tens of thousands of military losses on both sides along the extensive frontline.
Despite having greater military and economic resources, Russia faced a significant setback from a Ukrainian drone operation that reportedly destroyed more than 40 fighter jets located deep within Russian territory.
Both Zelensky and Putin seem to have ambitions for peace, particularly in light of potential consequences from Washington. While Ukraine accepted a proposed US ceasefire, the Kremlin effectively turned it down, with Putin insisting that any peace must align with his terms.
Andri Yamak, director of Ukraine’s presidential office, noted that a high-level delegation, including Economy Minister Yurija Swillidenko, traveled to Washington to meet with members of both primary US political parties and Trump’s advisors.
Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current deputy of the security council, stated Tuesday that invading neighboring countries could not evade consequences.
“The talks in Istanbul aren’t for compromising peace that suits someone else’s unrealistic demands; it’s about assuring our speedy victory and the complete dismantling of the current Ukrainian government,” he asserted.
Medvedev further indicated that “retaliation is unavoidable,” adding, “Our forces will continue to advance, and everything that needs to be targeted will be addressed.”
In Kyiv, many residents greeted their country’s recent drone assault on Russian bases with enthusiasm but held a bleak outlook on the prospects for peace.
Ole Nikolenko, a 43-year-old Ukrainian soldier, remarked, “Russians don’t negotiate peace with anyone. They’ve invested too much into this conflict.”
Anastasia Nikorenko, a 38-year-old designer, stated that diplomacy wouldn’t halt the fighting. “We need to show, through strength, that we cannot be overcome.”
Recently, Russia intensified its strikes on the Smie and Kharkiv areas following Putin’s commitment to establish a buffer zone at the border to thwart long-range Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory.
Sammy lies about 25 kilometers from the Russian border, with the front line population estimated at around 250,000.
