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Russian Missile Strikes Kill 11 in Ukraine as War Reaches Critical Phase
Russian missile strikes on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dobropillia overnight have killed 11 people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday, describing the attack as further proof that Russia’s objectives remain unchanged. The strikes, which also left over 30 people injured, including five children, have heightened concerns as Ukraine faces growing military pressure while awaiting renewed U.S. support.
Escalating Russian Attacks Amid U.S. Aid Freeze
The attacks come at a pivotal moment in the war, with the United States pausing military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine as part of efforts to pressure Kyiv into negotiations for a peace deal. The suspension has left Ukraine more vulnerable to Russian assaults, further tilting the battlefield in Moscow’s favor.
On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump—who has been pushing for a ceasefire—suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin was merely responding to battlefield conditions, saying he was “doing what anybody else would do” in taking advantage of Ukraine’s weakened position.
Zelensky condemned the strikes as “a vile and inhumane tactic of intimidation”, calling for stronger air defenses and tougher sanctions against Russia.
“Everything that helps Putin finance the war must break,” Zelensky stated, emphasizing the need for continued international pressure.
Deadly Toll Across Ukraine
Russian attacks in the past 24 hours have killed at least 23 people and wounded over 50 others in eastern and southern Ukraine, local officials reported.
- In Donetsk, Russian strikes killed nine people and injured 13.
- A drone attack in the Kharkiv region killed three people and wounded seven.
- In Kherson, five people were injured in Russian strikes.
Ukraine’s air force said it had intercepted 79 out of 145 drones launched by Russia overnight, while at least 54 drones did not reach their intended targets. Additionally, Russian forces fired three missiles, with Ukraine’s defenses managing to intercept one.
The strikes come just days after a devastating Russian airstrike on Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky’s hometown, adding to the growing toll on Ukrainian cities.
Ukraine’s Kursk Incursion Under Pressure
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military is facing mounting pressure in the Russian region of Kursk, where its forces are at risk of losing a key logistical route. Ukrainian and Russian military bloggers have reported a deteriorating situation following the arrival of 12,000 North Korean troops, which have bolstered Russia’s efforts to reclaim lost ground.
Ukraine had launched a surprise incursion into Kursk in August, marking the first foreign invasion of Russian territory since World War II. The move was designed to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and strengthen Kyiv’s position in future ceasefire talks.
However, Ukraine has now lost nearly half of the territory it had seized in Kursk, and Russian forces have advanced into Ukraine’s Sumy region, potentially cutting off Ukrainian troops still operating in Kursk.
With the battlefield shifting and the future of U.S. military aid uncertain, Ukraine faces an increasingly difficult fight to maintain its defensive lines while keeping pressure on Russia’s own borders.
Zelensky is set to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next week to discuss Kyiv’s military needs and ongoing negotiations with the United States, signaling a critical moment in the war’s trajectory.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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White House Unveils “Media Hall of Shame” Portal as Attacks on Press Intensify
News
Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue
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