A Russian missile strike on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed two individuals and resulted in extensive property damage, according to city council official Anatoly Kurtev. The attack comes amidst ongoing conflict and amidst peace talks involving major global stakeholders, including an upcoming meeting in Saudi Arabia, which will host discussions among Western and key developing nations.
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Key Points:Â
- A Russian missile strike on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, killed two people and caused significant property damage, including the shattering of apartment windows and damage to an education center and supermarket.
- Earlier in the day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the “advanced positions” of Ukraine’s special forces near Bakhmut, a city seized by Russian forces in May.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that there were no significant changes or intensification on the Ukrainian front and that Russia did not reject talks on Ukraine, suggesting that African and Chinese peace initiatives could provide a basis for resolution.
- Saudi Arabia will host talks on the Ukraine conflict among Western countries, Ukraine, and key developing countries, including India and Brazil, in early August.
- Despite the conflict, Putin stated that a proposed Russian “gas hub” in Turkey is still in consideration, aiming to establish an electronic platform for gas sales in the country. This proposition came after European countries drastically reduced their imports from Russia following its actions in Ukraine.
