A Russian missile attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro has killed four people and injured 40, authorities have reported.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that a ballistic missile was employed in the strike, which occurred on Monday morning. Videos circulated online showed a significant explosion near a motorway, while local media reported damage to an office building, vehicles, and shops.
Dnipro, located about 100km (62 miles) from the front line, has frequently come under Russian strikes since the onset of Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
This attack coincides with diplomatic efforts led by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is set to meet President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. This meeting is following a prior encounter in Florida, where Witkoff met with a Ukrainian delegation, including prominent US figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the discussions as 'very constructive', although significant challenges remain, particularly the ongoing territorial disputes, with Russia insisting on Ukraine's retreat from parts of the Donbas region.
Despite the dialogue, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, and with Zelensky heading to France to garner further support, concerns are rising about the US potentially shifting its stance in favor of Russia's demands.
The ramifications of this skirmish extend beyond immediate losses, as the ongoing conflict has led to tens of thousands of military and civilian casualties, and has created millions of refugees since February 2022. The circumstances surrounding Ukraine's future security remain contentious, especially given Europe's disquiet over an exclusion from critical negotiations and Ukraine's internal political difficulties.
