Russian strikes kill seven in Zaporizhzhia following Trump fuel deal

Russian strikes on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least seven people on Saturday, regional officials and international media outlets reported. France 24 and Radio Free Europe reported that at least eight people died in the attack, while the Irish Times, The Independent, Reuters, and The Hindu stated seven were killed. Three children were among the dead after Russian aerial bombs hit residential buildings, according to statements cited by the Irish Times and France 24. [1][3][7][8][9][10][11]

The strikes occurred a day after United States President Donald Trump announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease sanctions and purchase Russian diesel, Al Jazeera and the Irish Times reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the agreement plays into Russia's hands by allowing it to bankroll its war effort. In response to the arrangement, a Ukrainian drone strike hit a fuel facility in the Rostov region of Russia, setting it on fire, according to Al Jazeera. [2][3][4]

Zaporizhzhia, which has a population of more than 700,000, is a major administrative centre located on the Dnieper River in southeast Ukraine. Russian bombardments have escalated across the country in recent days, killing more than 50 people over a three-day span, the New York Post reported. [5][12]

Diplomatic efforts are ongoing alongside the fighting. Officials from the United States, Ukraine, and Europe met in Miami on Saturday for fresh talks aimed at finding a path to end the war, France 24 reported. [1]