In brief
A Russian glide bomb attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Saturday claimed at least 20 lives, including four children, and wounded 32 residents, many of whom are still trapped under rubble. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as a response to a U.S. diesel deal with Russia, calling it a gift to Putin and a sign that Russia can continue fighting. Acting mayor Regina Harchenko described the scene as a collapsed apartment block with the ground floor hit. Zaporizhzhia, one of Ukraine’s largest regional centres, lies less than 16 km from the front line and has repeatedly endured drone and missile assaults. The attack adds to a series of recent glide‑bomb strikes across Ukraine and follows a UN report of a 55 % rise in civilian casualties this year.
Five glide bombs launched by Russian forces struck residential buildings on the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia on Saturday. The attack left at least 20 dead, including four children, and wounded 32 residents. Many victims are reported still trapped beneath the debris and are believed to remain missing.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as an expression of Russian gratitude for a U.S. diesel deal signed the day before. He criticised the agreement as a gift to Putin, arguing it underlines Russia’s intent to keep fighting.
Acting mayor Regina Harchenko, speaking from the scene, described the damage: the ground floor had been hit and the upper levels collapsed. Over 80 search‑and‑rescue workers were deployed, listening for survivors amid the rubble.
Zaporizhzhia, home to more than 700,000 residents, lies less than 16 km from the front line and has endured frequent drone and missile attacks. The latest bombardment adds to a series of glide bomb strikes across the country this week, including attacks on Kramatorsk and Pryluky that claimed dozens of lives.
The United Nations reports the civilian casualty count in Ukraine has risen by 55% in the first eight months of 2026, reflecting an intensification of Russia's military strategy as winter approaches.
