Russian drones killed at least four people dead and injured over 30 others overnight in Ukraine amid reports the Kremlin is planning a new military incursion to strengthen its position in advance of upcoming peace talks.
Some 172 drones targeted Dnipro, Ukraine’s fourth largest city, according to regional Gov. Serhii Lysak and Ukraine’s emergency service. Among the 24 injured was a pregnant woman, officials said.
A hotel and restaurant complex, a school, an administrative building and high-rise buildings were also damaged in the city, which has served as a key logistics and humanitarian hub since Russia’s 2022 invasion. It was the second time Dnipro was targeted this week.
And at least eight more people were hurt when a Russian ballistic missile struck nearby Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian President Zelensky hometown, Lysak said.
Zelensky accused the Kremlin of making a mockery of ongoing peace talks.
“Russia mocks the world’s peace efforts — dragging out the war and committing these acts of terror because it still doesn’t feel real pressure,” he said in a post on X.
President Trump has also said Russia is “dragging their feet” on peace.
Ukrainian officials believe Russia is stalling as forces prepare for a fresh offensive this spring to put more pressure on Kyiv and strengthen the Kremlin’s negotiating power, according to reports.
Putin’s plans would target the northeast Sumy, Kharkiv and Zaporizizhia regions, Zelensky said, citing intelligence reports this week.
“They’re dragging out the talks and trying to get the US stuck in endless and pointless discussions about fake ‘conditions’ just to buy time and then try to grab more land,” Zelensky said.
The warring countries reached a cease-fire on energy strikes Tuesday following talks mediated by the US in Saudi Arabia. Putin rejected a full truce earlier this month.
But in a breach of the limited agreements, Russia shelled a Ukrainian energy facility in Kherson and then blasted a state gas producer in the central region of Poltava, Zelensky said.
Until a final deal is ironed out, Russia will continue to take advantage of the “ambiguities,” George Barros, Russia team lead at the Institute for the Study of War, told The Post Friday.
“The US should now explore the option of playing the cards that we have against Russia, but have not yet exercised,” he said. “We have a lot of cards in our hand that we can play.”
Zelensky urged American and European partners on Saturday to help “strengthen our warriors and deprive the occupiers of the resources to wage war.”
The Ukrainian president also said he will not sign a minerals deal with the US if it threatens its integration to the European Union.
The latest proposal would require Kyiv to send profits from its resources to Washington until Ukraine repays all American wartime aid, plus interest, Reuters reported.
It could go against the economic sovereignty required for Kyiv’s EU accession, the Financial Times reported.
The EU is preparing its 17th package of sanctions against Russia despite the Kremlin’s demands that Western restrictions be lifted, according to reports.
Leaders from British and France are expected to meet in the coming week to discuss ongoing plans for a “reassurance force” of troops to Ukraine in the event of a cease-fire.
With Post wires
