Dozens injured in massive Russian strike near Ukrainian border, Kyiv also hit

More than 90 people were injured in a missile strike on the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, President Zelenskyy said, as Russian and American officials discussed a potential ceasefire in Riyadh with a 12 hour round, lasting into the early hours.

“There are many injured. So far, we count approximately 90, of which 17 are children,” Zelenskyy said in his daily address.

Earlier, the local prosecutor’s office reported that Russian forces struck a densely populated area of Sumy, near the border with Russia, resulting in damage to apartment buildings and an educational institution.

“Fortunately, the school children were in the shelter,” Zelenskyy added.

Photos released by the prosecutor’s office show thick black smoke rising from a destroyed building, broken glass, and splintered wood scattered on the street.

“Moscow talks about peace while launching violent strikes on densely populated areas of major Ukrainian cities,” commented Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.

Suburbs of the capital Kyiv and Kharkiv, Ukraine’s 2nd largest city, near the Russian border, were also hit.