Zelenskyy blames Putin for rejecting…, 16 killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine’s….

Kyiv: The recent Russian airstrikes killed 16 people in Kryvyi Rih, including six children. Five others were killed in Kharkiv in a targeted drone attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Saturday. Thirty-four others sustained injuries in the strike, which involved six “Shahed” drones. Zelenskyy took to X, and wrote, “Rescue operations are currently underway in Kryvyi Rih following a Russian missile strike. As of now, 16 people are confirmed dead, including six children. In Kharkiv, rescue efforts continued all day after a targeted Russian drone strike. A deliberate attack by six “Shahed” drones. Sadly, five people were killed. Thirty-four were injured. My condolences to all the families and loved ones. In Kherson – another targeted strike by a Russian FPV drone hit an energy facility – the Kherson thermal power plant.”

He further said, “These strikes cannot be accidental – the Russians know exactly what they’re hitting. They know these are energy facilities that should be protected from attacks under what Russia itself promised to the American side. Every Russian promise ends with missiles or drones, bombs or artillery. Diplomacy means nothing to them.”

President Zelenskyy has stated that a ceasefire was attainable, but claims Russian President Putin has consistently refused such an agreement.

“That’s why pressure is needed – sufficient pressure on Russia so they feel the consequences of every lie, every strike, every single day they take lives and prolong the war. A ceasefire could have already been reached – it is Putin who rejects it, it is Moscow that has refused a ceasefire since March 11. It is they, in Russia, who want this war. And it’s obvious that Russia won’t be forced into peace just by talks or expectations,” Zelenskyy said.

Meanwhile, from March 23 to 25, the United States held expert-level discussions with delegations from Russia and Ukraine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. These bilateral meetings followed high-level discussions by US President Donald Trump with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, respectively.

Meanwhile, the US held a expert-level discussions between delegations from Russia and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh from March 23 to 25. The meetings followed high-level discussions by President Trump with Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, respectively.

The discussions focussed on Black Sea security, including the protection of commercial shipping and energy infrastructure, and broader diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace.

(With ANI Inputs)

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