Russia kills 25 in Ukraine, as Kremlin says “committed” to peace
Prison strike in Zaporizhzhia
Four glide bombs struck the Bilenkivska detention centre, killing 16 inmates and wounding 43. Bricks and shattered windows littered the perimeter, yet the facility’s fence remained intact and no escape risk materialised.
Ukrainian response
- Zelensky labelled the attack “deliberate, intentional” and demanded that Russia acknowledge the civilian casualties.
- The Kremlin denied targeting civilians and asserted that the Russian army does not strike civilian sites.
- Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow had “taken note” of the new deadline issued by Donald Trump and reiterated its commitment to a peace process.
War‑crime allegations
Human‑rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets called the strike evidence of Russian “war crimes” and reminded that detainees retain the right to life and protection.
Other simultaneous attacks
- Russian forces launched 37 drones and two missiles overnight; Ukrainian air defence downed 32 of the drones.
- A hospital in Kamyanske, Dnipropetrovsk, was hit, killing three, including a 23‑year‑old pregnant woman named Diana.
- Six people died in Kharkiv, and a drone strike killed one in Rostov.
Front‑line developments
Russia claimed recent gains across the eastern front, taking control of two villages—one in Donetsk and one in Zaporizhzhia—after a summer offensive that saw renewed advances on long‑held territories.
Historical context
Today’s assault coincides with the three‑year anniversary of a 2022 bombing of the Olenivka detention centre in occupied Donetsk, believed by Kiev to be a Russian strike that killed dozens of surrendered Ukrainian soldiers.
