Russian Strikes Kill 12 in Zaporizhzhia; Zelenskyy Calls US Diesel Deal a 'Gift' to Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Russian strikes on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least 12 people, including three children, and wounded 14. Russian glide bombs hit residential buildings in several locations simultaneously in the early hours, and rescuers combed through rubble for survivors. A six-year-old girl was pulled from the wreckage as her sobbing grandfather looked on.
The attack came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a diesel deal with Vladimir Putin: Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by 500,000 tons in November, one million tons "immediately thereafter," and another three million tons within a short period. Zelenskyy wrote on social media: "Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia."
Zelenskyy described the agreement as a "gift" to Putin, accusing Washington of showing weakness and helping bankroll Moscow's war. He said Russia interprets any easing of pressure as a signal it can keep fighting and bombing cities, and that "different signals are needed."
Trump said the deal would bring diesel prices down "in record numbers, and fast," framing it as relief for American consumers ahead of the midterm elections. Putin called it a positive development for the global economy. Germany said Saturday it would maintain its sanctions on Russia and continue tightening them with the EU.
Over the past four days, Russian bombardments have killed more than 60 Ukrainian civilians, including at least 35 in the eastern city of Kramatorsk earlier this week. Thirteen other Ukrainian regions faced overnight attacks, and power outages were reported in Kyiv, even as Ukrainian negotiators continued peace talks in Miami.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：扎波罗热遭俄军空袭后，救援心理人员在现场安抚受惊居民（资料图）。摄影：乌克兰国家应急服务局（State Emergency Service of Ukraine），CC BY 4.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
