Overnight Strikes Shake Ukraine Amid Tensions
Air Defenses Down 103 Drones Overnight, Ukraine’s air defence forces successfully shot down 103 out of 176 Russian drones, which targeted several regions, including Kyiv. The attacks left smoke rising above the capital, as the city’s mayor warned residents to take shelter. Damage was also reported in Kirovohrad, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy. A further 67 drones were lost in flight, the Ukrainian Air Force reported. These strikes reflect the ongoing and escalating nature of the conflict as Russia continues its aerial assaults on Ukrainian territories.
Protests and Growing Unrest on Campus In the wake of recent events, protests have erupted on campus, with Nepali students leading demonstrations demanding justice for the tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal, a Nepali student at KIIT University. These protests were sparked by allegations of forced evictions, with some students claiming they were relocated just before exams. Tensions escalated when reports of security guards restricting students from leaving their hostels surfaced. Videos showing scuffles between students and security personnel went viral, although their authenticity remains unverified. KIIT University has refrained from commenting on the situation, causing frustration among students and the public.
International and Political Reactions The situation has garnered international attention, particularly from Nepal’s Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, who confirmed that the Nepali government is working through diplomatic channels to address the matter. His statement assures the public that the situation is being handled with priority, emphasizing the safety and well-being of Nepali students in India.
Meanwhile, in Turkey, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss Ukraine’s sovereignty and call for stronger international support. Zelensky has consistently stated that Ukraine will not accept any peace deal that does not include Ukrainian representatives, stressing that Ukraine’s sovereignty remains non-negotiable.
Read Also : Breaking News
US-Russia Talks in Saudi Arabia The US-Russia talks in Riyadh are ongoing, with a focus on determining if Russia is genuinely committed to ending the war in Ukraine. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading the US delegation, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov represents Moscow. The meeting is seen as a first step to understand if Moscow is serious about de-escalating the war, though both sides have stated that these discussions are not peace negotiations.
Despite the presence of US and Russian officials, the Ukrainian delegation is notably absent from these talks, which has led to criticism from Ukrainian officials, including President Zelensky, who reiterated that Ukraine’s involvement is non-negotiable. European officials are also excluded, with many UK and EU leaders having held separate emergency talks in Paris to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.
Continued Escalation on the Frontlines The war continues to see fierce battles, particularly in the eastern Donbas region, where Russian forces have made gains. However, Ukrainian resistance is slowing Russia’s offensive, especially in cities like Kharkiv, which remains largely protected from Russian artillery. Meanwhile, territory swaps have been discussed, with Ukrainian President Zelensky proposing exchanges between areas seized by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk border region and territories controlled by Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk.
As US and Russian officials sit down for talks, the world watches with hope for a potential path to peace—but with no certainty of how the talks will unfold. Ukraine’s future remains uncertain, and the battle for sovereignty continues with mounting international pressure on both sides. The conflict’s global implications are clear, with diplomatic channels actively exploring potential solutions for a war that has profoundly impacted millions.
This article was initially published in BBC
