**Russian Drone Attacks on Kharkiv Leave 27 Injured**
A series of drone attacks by Russian forces struck multiple locations in the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, late on April 29. At least 27 people were injured, with some suffering serious injuries. The attacks targeted a high-rise apartment block, private residences, a medical facility, and civil infrastructure.
Kharkiv has been hit repeatedly by air assaults throughout the full-scale war. Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that there have been 16 strikes on the city, with several parts of the city center being targeted, including the Slobidskyi district and the Saltivskyi district.
**Rise in Civilian Casualties**
The attacks come as Russian forces intensified their offensive operations in three Ukrainian oblasts – Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. The number of civilian casualties has been rising, with at least 164 civilians killed and 910 injured in March alone, according to UN figures.
This is a significant increase compared to February and last year’s numbers, highlighting the dire need for increased air defense support to protect major cities like Kharkiv from Russia’s continued aerial assaults. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called for such support to mitigate the harm caused by Russian attacks.
**Talks at an Impasse**
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are reportedly stalled, with some sources suggesting that direct contact between President Putin and former US President Donald Trump is needed to make further progress. The lack of progress in talks raises concerns about the future of the conflict.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged international support for Ukraine’s efforts towards peace, while condemning Russia’s escalated terror against civilians.
**International Reaction**
European Commission spokesperson Anita Hipper called on Russia to stop the killing and bombing at any time, saying “there’s absolutely no need to wait until the 8th of May.” German Foreign Minister-designate Johann Wadephul expressed support for Ukraine, stating that Germany will stand with Ukraine and offer it an opportunity to be on a level with Russia.
The international community is watching the situation closely, with many countries condemning Russia’s actions and calling for increased pressure on Moscow. The EU does not rule out “decoupling” Moldova’s accession process from that of Ukraine due to Hungary’s opposition.
As the conflict continues, it remains to be seen whether negotiations will restart and if Russia will scale back its attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
