Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continued his efforts to secure international support for his country during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week
Ukrainian firemen working following an air attack by Russia in the Odesa region. PIC/AFP
Russia said it shot down three dozen Ukrainian drones heading towards capital Moscow even as Kyiv reported that Russian missiles, drones, and bombs killed at least two civilians. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continued his efforts to secure international support for his country during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, news agency AP reported.
With Ukraine’s forces stretched thin after more than three years of fighting Russia's larger invading army, President Zelensky was set to hold meetings with world leaders gathered at the UN. His diplomatic efforts aim to shore up support, especially as the situation on the frontlines remains dire.
Peace initiatives spearheaded by United States (US) President Donald Trump since his return to office in January appear to have stalled. Trump's Alaska Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a White House meeting with Zelensky and key European leaders took place over a month ago, but the war continues without any respite in sight.
Zelensky mentioned in a Telegram post that he met with Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy, late on Monday in New York. The two discussed potential cooperation agreements for the manufacturing of drones and Ukraine’s acquisition of American weaponry, reported AP.
While European leaders have supported Zelensky's diplomatic push, the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza is expected to dominate discussions at the UN. Some European nations are concerned that the war in Ukraine could escalate further due to what they view as Russian provocations.
At Estonia's request, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies are set to hold formal consultations on Tuesday after the Baltic nation reported that three Russian fighter jets entered its airspace without authorisation last week.
Meanwhile, the war, which began on February 24 three years ago continues to take a devastating toll on Ukrainian civilians.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights noted earlier this month that Ukrainian civilian casualties had increased by 40 percent in the first eight months of this year compared to 2024, with Russia ramping up its long-range missile and drone strikes.
A UN Human Rights Office report released on Tuesday also highlighted the grim situation of thousands of Ukrainian civilians detained by Russia in occupied territories, AP reported.
"Russian authorities have subjected Ukrainian civilian detainees in occupied territory to torture and ill-treatment, including sexual violence, in a widespread and systematic manner," stated the report.
Russian aircraft launched five glide bombs on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia during the night, killing one man, according to regional head Ivan Fedorov. In the Odesa region, Russian ballistic missiles struck the town centre of Tatarbunary, killing a woman, regional head Oleh Kiper confirmed on Tuesday morning.
Russian forces launched a total of three Iskander ballistic missiles and 115 strike and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight, the country’s air force reported. Of these, 103 drones were intercepted or jammed, while 12 drones and three missiles successfully hit six locations.
In Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that more than 40 Ukrainian drones were shot down as they approached the Russian capital between Monday evening and midday Tuesday. As a result of the attacks, flights in and out of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport were temporarily halted overnight, causing significant delays and cancellations.
The Russian Defence Ministry also reported that it intercepted 69 Ukrainian drones over various Russian regions and the annexed Crimean Peninsula on Tuesday.
(With AP inputs)
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