At least 12 people were killed in Eastern Ukraine following overnight Russian airstrikes, the country’s emergency service reported on Saturday.
The attacks come just days before U.S. and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss possible steps toward a ceasefire.
One of the strikes targeted the center of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region late Friday, resulting in 11 deaths and injuring 30 others, according to emergency responders.
In a separate incident, a drone attack in Bogodukhiv, located in the Kharkiv region, claimed one life and left seven others wounded, regional military official Oleg Synegubov confirmed.
The escalation follows recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has warned of potential new sanctions and tariffs against Russia while suggesting that negotiations with Moscow might be more straightforward than dealing with Kyiv.
During a White House meeting, Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and temporarily suspended U.S. aid to Ukraine, emphasizing his desire to push for diplomacy.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump stated that he found Ukraine difficult to negotiate with, adding, “They don’t hold the cards. It might actually be easier to engage with Russia.”
His comments came shortly after he threatened to impose additional economic measures on Russia in response to its intensified attacks, including a large-scale drone and missile assault on Ukrainian energy facilities.
“Given Russia’s continued offensive, I am seriously considering imposing major banking sanctions, trade restrictions, and tariffs until a ceasefire and a final peace agreement are secured,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
He urged both nations to engage in dialogue, warning, “Russia and Ukraine must come to the negotiating table before it’s too late.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Friday.
A statement from the State Department, issued by spokesperson Tammy Bruce, highlighted Rubio’s emphasis on the need for both sides to take concrete steps toward securing a lasting peace.
