Russian Air Strike on Ukrainian Shopping Centre Claims Lives Amid Escalation

A Russian air strike on a bustling shopping centre in the eastern Ukrainian town of Dobropillia resulted in at least two deaths and injured 27 others, according to local authorities. The attack, which occurred on Wednesday evening, specifically targeted a civilian area, causing extensive damage to over 50 shops, 300 apartments, and eight vehicles. Regional governor Vadym Filashkin condemned the strike on Telegram, stating it showed a deep disregard for civilian life, as it was executed around peak shopping hours with a powerful 500-kilogram bomb. President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized the incident as "horrific," questioning its military rationale.

This incident adds to a series of strikes as Russia intensifies aerial assaults across Ukraine amid stagnant peace negotiations. The town of Dobropillia, only 20 kilometers from the frontline and previously affected by an earlier attack, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict's toll on civilians. Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg is on a diplomatic mission in Kyiv to strengthen ties with Ukraine. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin of Moscow reported the interception of drones over the capital, while the humanitarian crisis deepens with over 230 civilian casualties recorded in June alone. Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration over the lack of peace progress and threatened sanctions if a deal isn't achieved soon, while offering military support to Kyiv.