By Fatma Younis
Russia bombed a humanitarian hub in southern Ukraine, killing at least 31 people and leaving dozens missing, as part of a massive wave of strikes across the country overnight. Other Russian attacks targeted power plants, damaged hospitals and wounded scores of people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Deadly strike on aid distribution center
The deadliest attack hit a school building used to distribute humanitarian aid in Komyshuvakha, a village in the Zaporizhzhia region, and then struck a nearby shelter. The dead included four police officers and two rescue workers, according to Mykhailo Semikin, the acting head of the regional military administration. At least five people were injured and 48 were considered missing. Rescue efforts on Monday evening were hindered by additional Russian drone attacks in the area.
Widespread overnight attacks
In total, Russia launched 289 attack drones, 17 ballistic missiles and 59 cruise missiles across nine regions, triggering emergency power cuts. In the northeastern Kharkiv region, a combined missile and drone attack wounded at least 62 people, damaged a medical facility, shattered windows in four apartment buildings and damaged cars. More than 200 patients were transferred to other medical facilities, said regional military administration head Oleh Syniehubov.
Ceasefire collapse and diplomatic context
The barrage came a day after a rare local ceasefire in the southern city of Oleshky ended, underscoring the fragility of the truce brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. Zelenskyy said the attack demonstrated Moscow's intent to kill rather than build on the pause in fighting. U.S.-led talks between Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to resume next week in Abu Dhabi, with Russia's delegation led by Vladimir Medinsky. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as Germany has become Ukraine's largest military aid provider since Merz took office in May 2025.
