Russian Airstrike Targets Ukrainian Town, Leaving Two Dead and Dozens Injured

At least two individuals lost their lives and 27 others sustained injuries due to a Russian airstrike on a shopping center in Ukraine's Donetsk region. The attack, described by President Zelensky as "horrific," reflects a recent escalation in hostilities as US diplomatic efforts continue.

A tragic airstrike hit the town of Dobropillia in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region on Wednesday evening, killing at least two people and injuring 27 others, officials have reported. The attack, which involved the use of a 500-kg bomb on a busy shopping center and market, caused significant damage to over 50 shops, 300 apartments, and eight vehicles, as highlighted by regional governor Vadym Filashkin.

In his address to the nation, President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as “simply horrific,” emphasizing the absence of any military rationale for targeting civilian areas. This incident contributes to a broader pattern of escalated airstrikes by Russia amid stagnating peace negotiations. Just 20 kilometers from the frontline and northeast of Pokrovsk, Dobropillia has endured previous military assaults, including a March attack that resulted in the death of 11 people, including five children.

On a broader international front, the situation remains tense as US special envoy Keith Kellogg conducts a week-long visit to Kyiv aimed at enhancing cooperation between the US and Ukraine. Concurrently, Moscow's mayor reported the interception of three drones targeting Russia’s capital, though details regarding potential casualties were not disclosed.

Recent months have seen a marked increase in Russian drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, with more than 230 civilian deaths recorded in June alone, the highest toll in a single month during the ongoing conflict. In a related development, US President Donald Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the pace of peace efforts, warning of potential sanctions against Moscow if negotiations do not advance within the next 50 days. He also reiterated the commitment to supplying advanced weaponry to Ukraine to enhance its defense capabilities.