At least four civilian lives have been claimed, and several people have been injured in a nightly Russian drone attack against Kharkiv in Ukraine, reports the city's mayor Ihor Terechov on the messaging app Telegram.
"Killing deliberately"
"This was a demonstrative and cynical Russian attack. They are aware that a meeting is taking place today in Washington about putting an end to the war", Zelenskyj writes on X, and continues:
"The Russians are killing people deliberately, especially children. Right now, we are counting up to seven killed as a result of the drone attack against Kharkiv, the youngest is a girl, only 1.5 years old.. and dozens have been injured, including children".
A few hours earlier, at least eleven people were also injured in a Russian rocket attack against the city.
Reports are also coming in about attacks on Sumy in northeastern Ukraine. In the village of Nova Sloboda, about 10 kilometers from the Russian border, a woman was injured by Russian bombings and in the village of Myropillia, a man was injured in a drone attack.
Upcoming meeting
The Russian attacks are taking place in light of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj being in Washington for a summit meeting with the USA's President Donald Trump at the White House, where several other European leaders will also participate.
"The Russian war machine continues to destroy lives despite everything that is happening, Putin will continue to demonstrate deliberate killing to continue putting pressure on Ukraine and Europe, and to humiliate the diplomatic efforts", Zelenskyj writes.
"It is precisely why we are seeking help to put an end to the killing. It is why credible security guarantees are necessary. It is why Russia should not be rewarded for its participation in this war. The war must end. And it is Moscow that must hear the word 'Stop'."
