Russian missile attack kills four and wounds 40 in Dnipro as diplomatic talks intensify

A Russian missile strike on the eastern-central Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Monday killed at least four people and wounded 40 others, officials said.

According to Vladyslav Haivanenko, the acting governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, the missile strike left 11 of the injured in serious condition. The governor confirmed that the search and rescue operation had been completed by late Monday, with emergency services working tirelessly to secure the site.

Ukraine’s emergency services reported significant damage from the attack, including destruction at car service stations, businesses, an office building, and 49 vehicles. The missile hit as people went about their daily activities, and several buildings were reduced to rubble.

Vitalii Kovalenko, the owner of a car repair shop located at the strike site, described the terrifying moment. “Everyone fell to the floor, then we started to figure out where the employees were. I ran upstairs and saw that one guy was fine, but he was a bit covered in shrapnel,” Kovalenko said. “Luckily, all my employees were alive.”

Telegram posts from the scene showed firefighters battling flames and emergency responders evacuating casualties, with images of a body being carried in a black bag and others being transported on stretchers.

Dnipro, one of Ukraine's most important industrial cities, and its surrounding region have repeatedly been targeted by Russian missile and drone strikes, which have killed civilians and damaged critical infrastructure. The attacks are part of Russia’s ongoing campaign to cripple Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure.

The timing of the strike comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Paris on Monday, part of an intensified diplomatic effort to bring an end to the war. His visit followed talks with U.S. officials over the weekend, where discussions focused on potential peace negotiations. However, the attack underscores the continued violence and challenges that persist on the ground, even as diplomatic efforts intensify.

There was no immediate comment from Russia regarding the missile strike on Dnipro, and the Kremlin has not yet responded to calls for de-escalation.

The people of Dnipro, along with those across Ukraine, continue to face daily challenges as missile and drone attacks disrupt their lives, while the government works to rebuild and protect its civilian infrastructure. The ongoing conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion in 2022, has left thousands dead and caused widespread destruction. Despite the challenges, Ukrainian officials remain committed to pursuing a diplomatic resolution, even as the war continues to take its toll on civilians.

Copied