Kyiv [Ukraine]: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday confirmed that at least 21 people have been killed in recent Russian strikes targeting Kryvyi Rih and Kharkiv, with six children among the victims. In addition, 34 people have been injured.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy wrote:
“Rescue operations are currently underway in Kryvyi Rih following a Russian missile strike. As of now, 16 people are confirmed dead, including six children. In Kharkiv, rescue efforts continued all day after a targeted Russian drone strike. A deliberate attack by six ‘Shahed’ drones. Sadly, five people were killed. Thirty-four were injured. My condolences to all the families and loved ones.”
Zelenskyy also reported a targeted strike in Kherson, where a Russian FPV drone hit the Kherson Thermal Power Plant, another critical piece of energy infrastructure.
He stressed that the attacks on energy facilities were not accidental, claiming that Russia was fully aware of its targets, despite prior diplomatic assurances to the US.
“These strikes cannot be accidental – the Russians know exactly what they’re hitting. They know these are energy facilities that should be protected from attacks under what Russia itself promised to the American side,” he said.
“Every Russian promise ends with missiles or drones, bombs or artillery. Diplomacy means nothing to them.”
Zelenskyy also claimed that a ceasefire could have already been reached if Russian President Vladimir Putin had not rejected it.
“A ceasefire could have already been reached – it is Putin who rejects it, it is Moscow that has refused a ceasefire since March 11,” Zelenskyy stated.
“It is they, in Russia, who want this war. And it’s obvious that Russia won’t be forced into peace just by talks or expectations. That’s why sufficient pressure is needed so they feel the consequences of every lie, every strike, every single day they take lives and prolong the war.”
Meanwhile, from March 23 to 25, the United States hosted expert-level bilateral discussions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with delegations from Russia and Ukraine. These talks followed high-level conversations between US President Donald Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy.
The Riyadh talks centered around key regional concerns, including:
- Black Sea security
- Protection of maritime trade routes
- Defense of energy infrastructure
- Broader diplomatic pathways toward durable peace
While diplomatic efforts continue, the human toll of ongoing strikes remains heavy, with civilian lives lost and infrastructure devastated across Ukraine.