A wave of Russian airstrikes has killed at least 25 people across Ukraine, targeting civilian infrastructure, including a prison and a hospital. The deadliest attack occurred at the Bilenke penitentiary in the Zaporizhzhia region, where four glide bombs struck just before midnight. The blasts destroyed key sections of the prison, including the dining hall and administrative buildings, resulting in 16 inmate deaths and injuring over 50 others.
Ukrainian authorities initially reported 17 fatalities before revising the number. The country’s human rights commissioner condemned the attack as a severe breach of international humanitarian law, emphasizing that detainees do not lose their right to life and protection.
Civilians Killed While Seeking Aid and Care Amid Relentless Russian Missile Strikes
Another deadly strike occurred in the northeastern Kharkiv region, where five people lost their lives while standing in line for humanitarian aid in the village of Novoplatonivka. The victims had gathered near a local shop when a Russian rocket hit the area, according to regional police.
Images released by officials showed bodies lying near the wreckage, highlighting the brutal impact on civilians simply trying to access essential supplies. The region, like many others along the front line, has experienced frequent attacks since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022.
In the central Dnipropetrovsk region, a Russian rocket hit a hospital in Kamianske, killing three people, including a 23-year-old pregnant woman named Diana. President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly mourned the loss and accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians.
He argued that the ongoing bloodshed could have been avoided through a ceasefire and called once again for tougher sanctions to force Russia to halt its aggression. The president described the situation as a needless extension of conflict that continues to cost innocent lives.
Trump Issues Ceasefire Ultimatum as Cross-Border Escalations Intensify Ukraine-Russia Conflict Further
As the violence intensifies, international leaders are ramping up diplomatic pressure. U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Russia had “10 or 12 days” to agree to a ceasefire or face sweeping sanctions. Speaking during a visit to Scotland, Trump stated he would announce further measures imminently, adding that delays were unnecessary given the severity of the crisis.
President Zelensky welcomed Trump’s remarks, calling them a “very important” signal and reiterating his plea for urgent international intervention to stop the attacks.
While Russia claims its forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine, including the reported seizure of the village of Maliivka, Ukrainian officials have disputed these assertions. Meanwhile, Ukraine launched retaliatory drone attacks into Russia’s southern regions, including Rostov and Belgorod.
One civilian was killed in each region, with property and infrastructure also damaged. These cross-border attacks demonstrate the growing regional scope of the conflict and the urgent need for de-escalation. As both nations suffer mounting losses, hopes for a peaceful resolution remain uncertain.
