Russian @ttack K!lls 25 In Ukraine As Zelenskyy Arrives In Turkey For Peace Talks

A massive Russian barrage involving drones and missiles targeted Ukraine’s western city of Ternopil, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 individuals, among them three children, officials reported on Wednesday, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Turkey seeking diplomatic backing for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion.

The attack, which occurred during the night, struck two nine-story residential buildings in Ternopil, a city situated approximately 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the border with Poland, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated. Emergency services reported that at least 73 people sustained injuries, including 15 children.

According to Klymenko, at least 19 of the victims were burned alive, among them three children aged 5, 7, and 16. He noted on national television that two dozen individuals remain missing, and rescue teams anticipate needing at least two additional days to finish searching through the debris.

Overnight, Russia launched 476 strike and decoy drones along with 48 missiles of different types against targets across Ukraine, the Ukrainian air force reported. The onslaught included 47 cruise missiles, of which air defenses successfully intercepted all except six, according to the air force. It added that Western-provided F-16 and Mirage-2000 fighter jets managed to intercept at least 10 cruise missiles.

“Every brazen attack against ordinary life indicates that the pressure on Russia (to stop the war) is insufficient,” Zelenskyy wrote on the messaging app Telegram.

Zelenskyy stated that he planned to hold talks with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later on Wednesday as part of broader efforts to diplomatically isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin and increase international pressure on him. Putin has thus far refused to make concessions, even in the face of pressure from the United States.

“Foremost, we will discuss maximum capabilities to ensure that Ukraine achieves a just peace,” he said, adding that he has “good relations” with Erdogan.

Zelenskyy also said: “We see some positions and signals from the United States, well, let’s see tomorrow.” He provided no further details, though stringent new U.S. sanctions targeting Russia’s oil sector—intended to compel Putin toward negotiations—are scheduled to go into effect on Friday.

Initially, a senior Turkish official indicated that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff would participate in the meetings with Zelenskyy in Turkey, but the official later retracted the statement, clarifying that Witkoff would not attend. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorized to discuss the arrangements publicly.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli