At least 25 people died this Wednesday in one of the worst Russian bombings in western Ukrainean attack that coincides with the visit of the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to Türkiye to “revitalize” the peace process.
Zelensky came to Ankara with the aim of reactivating the participation of USA in efforts to end the Russian invasion, which began in 2022.
Meanwhile, Moscow launched an attack the night before that is part of an increasingly intense campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The bombings also affect civilian targets as winter approaches and hit two housing blocks in the city of Ternopilin the west of the country, reported the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sibiga, on social networks.
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In photos published by authorities, destroyed buildings appear, with huge fires visible through broken windows.
The streets of the city, which was partially enveloped in thick gray smoke, were covered in debris.
At least 25 people died, including three children, and 73 were injured, indicated the latest balance from the Ministry of the Interior.
On the other hand, Ternopil authorities reported that, due to the fires, the level of chlorine in the air multiplied by sixand asked residents to stay home and close their windows.
In total, Russia launched more than 476 drones and 48 missiles, according to the Ukrainian air force, which destroyed 442 and 41 respectively.
“Sanctions and aid”
The night attacks also caused at least 46 injured in the northeastern region of Kharkiv. Additionally, Russia attacked other parts of western Ukraine.
Before their talks in Türkiye, Zelensky called on Ukraine’s Western allies to do more to get Russia to end the war.
“Every brazen attack against citizens shows that the pressure on Russia is insufficient,” he said.
A day earlier, he said his trip to Ankara will “reignite” frozen peace talks.
Likewise, a senior Ukrainian official told AFP that “the main objective is for the Americans to rejoin” the peace efforts.
kyiv hopes that Washington be able to push Russia to the negotiating table, even imposing sanctions, according to the official.
But President Donald Trump’s top envoy, Steve Witkoffwill not be present in Türkiye, indicated a US official.
Zelensky will meet with Erdogan
Zelensky will meet with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoganin Ankara in the afternoon, to discuss “the best ways to ensure Ukraine achieves a just peace“.
Türkiye has hosted three rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine this year, which have only resulted in the exchange of prisoners and the repatriation of the bodies of dead soldiers.
The Kremlin said no Russian officials would be present at the talks but that it remained open to talks to resolve the war in Ukraine.
Moscow has also refused to comment on information published by the American media Axios according to which it has been working on a secret peace plan with Washington to end the conflict, which has lasted almost four years.
Upon his return to the White House in January, Trump tried to take advantage of his good personal relationship with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putinto end the confrontation, but so far has not achieved any progress.
Russian troops are advancing slowly on the front and Putin demands Kiev to give up more territory and renounce Western military support if he wants Moscow to stop its invasion.