Russian aerial bombs struck residential buildings in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including three children, according to Mykhailo Semikin, the head of the regional military administration. At least 10 other individuals were wounded in the attack, which was reported on Saturday. This incident occurs as Russia and Ukraine remain locked in a long-range aerial war, even as their armies remain largely deadlocked on the front line more than 4 1/2 years since Moscow’s full-scale invasion. Ukraine is currently struggling to counter escalating Russian bombardments that have killed more than 55 people over the past four days.
In a separate development, Donald Trump announced that Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, to be followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons "immediately thereafter." Trump further stated that Russia would deliver an additional 3 million tons "within a short period of time" after that. This announcement stands in stark contrast to a sweeping Russia sanctions law he signed last month, which was aimed at clamping down on the oil and gas revenues that fuel Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Critics have warned that the move plays into Russia’s hands, potentially allowing it to kill more, wage war for longer, show less respect for America, and inflict greater losses and damage on the world. According to a statement released by the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the move as "a weak decision, unfortunately, a weak decision by strong partners." Zelenskyy added, "I believe our team is simply being used as a smokescreen. And that is certainly not fair. It is certainly not how partners should treat each other."
