Kyiv, Jan 31: A Russian drone attack killed three people in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region overnight, officials said Thursday, underlining the ongoing human cost of the war even as US‑brokered peace talks are set to continue this weekend.The strike ignited a major blaze in an apartment building, emergency services reported, while firefighters in the central Dnipropetrovsk region worked through the night to extinguish fires after related attacks that left two people injured.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that Ukrainian intelligence suggests Russia may be preparing for another large‑scale aerial assault, despite diplomatic efforts underway to revive negotiations. He stressed that continued attacks undermine confidence in the peace process, saying, “Every single Russian strike does.”
The conflict — now approaching its fourth year — has seen frequent use of drones, cruise missiles and ballistic weapons targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, particularly power grids. Peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, mediated by the United States and supported by European partners, are scheduled to resume Sunday amid growing scepticism about Moscow’s commitment to a settlement.
European Union officials have criticised the escalation, with senior diplomats in Brussels calling for increased pressure on Russia to make genuine concessions and reduce civilian harm as diplomatic efforts continue.