Post by : Meena Ariff

Russian forces carried out deadly attacks overnight in Ukraine, killing 12 people and targeting key energy infrastructure as peace talks continue. In the northeastern Kharkiv region, a drone struck a passenger train carrying nearly 200 people, killing at least five. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko condemned the attack on social media, while President Volodymyr Zelensky called the killing of civilians "unjustifiable."

Images showed the charred remains of the train carriage, and emergency services confirmed the fire was extinguished. Meanwhile, in the southern city of Odesa, over 50 Russian drones launched an assault, killing three and injuring more than 30, including a pregnant woman and two children. Odesa, a vital port for Ukrainian exports, has faced frequent attacks.

President Zelensky urged international allies to increase pressure on Moscow, warning that such strikes undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts. The recent US-brokered peace talks in the UAE raised hopes for ending nearly four years of conflict, with the next round scheduled for February 1.

Russian drone and missile strikes also damaged dozens of residential buildings, schools, and churches across Ukraine. Several civilians were killed in the eastern Donetsk and southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. These attacks have left millions of Ukrainians without power in freezing winter conditions.

The Ukrainian air force reported 165 drone attacks overnight, including a facility hit in the western Lviv region. State gas company Naftogaz confirmed one of its sites was set on fire in western Ukraine, marking the fifth attack on energy infrastructure this month.

Meanwhile, Russian forces are slowly advancing, having captured two more villages in the Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions, according to the Russian defense ministry.

The situation remains tense as the war enters its fourth year, with both sides suffering heavy losses and civilians caught in the crossfire. The international community watches closely, hoping diplomacy will prevail before more lives are lost.

#Global News