Ukraine seeks 'dignified peace' as Russian strikes kill one and injure 15

At least one person was killed and more than 15 others injured in Russian strikes across Ukraine overnight on Monday, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a week of high-level diplomatic talks aimed at finding a way to a "dignified peace" in the nearly four-year war.

One person was killed in the city of Dnipro as several parts of the Dnipropetrovsk region were attacked by drones and artillery in the early hours of Monday. Local officials reported that five others were injured, adding that their conditions were stable.

Multiple explosions were reported across the central Ukrainian region, as multi-story buildings, private homes, vehicles and administrative buildings sustained damage as a result of the strikes.

Rescue teams and local law enforcement units were deployed to the targeted areas to survey the damage and provide support to the injured and affected. They reported damage to critical infrastructure, including power lines and water pipes servicing residences.

At least seven people were injured in the northern region of Sumy as Russian forces began pummelling it late on Sunday and into Monday morning, according to the regional military administration.

Several floors of a nine-story residential building were damaged in the strike.

Some residents became trapped inside the damaged apartment building and were rescued by emergency workers, according to the State Emergency Service. Rescue operations have also been temporarily suspended as local officials feared the threat of repeated attacks across the city.

The adjacent Chernihiv region also came under heavy overnight Russian shelling, where at least three people were injured.

A Russian drone exploded in a residential area of the city, near an apartment building. The powerful blast shattered windows and doors, apartments and civilian vehicles parked nearby. One of those injured was hospitalised for moderate wounds.

A gas pipeline next to the building also caught fire, requiring intensive efforts from firefighting units to contain the blaze. A kindergarten, several convenience stores and shops and nearby facilities also sustained damage in the attacks.

The strikes come at a time of heightened diplomatic efforts to bring an end to Russia's war in Ukraine, well into its fourth year. Zelenskyy said on Sunday that this week will feature a plethora of high-level diplomatic talks with European lawmakers to explore ways to end Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“We are starting a new diplomatic week right now – there will be consultations with European leaders. First and foremost, security issues, support for our resilience and support packages for our defence,” Zelenskyy stated in a video posted on X.

“First and foremost, air defence and long-term funding for Ukraine. Of course, we will discuss a shared vision and common positions in the negotiations,” he continued.

It follows a high-stakes meeting with Washington, after Zelenskyy’s cabinet held talks with the US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, and the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to discuss Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine.

“Yesterday, we spoke with Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner – thank you for your readiness to work together 24/7," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy noted that Washington is aware of Kyiv’s position, stating that constructive talks will continue in the days and weeks to come, to hopefully reach an agreement on which long-term sustainable peace can be achieved.

"Ukraine deserves a dignified peace, and whether there will be peace depends entirely on Russia – on our collective pressure on Russia and on the sound negotiating positions of the United States, Europe, and all our other partners," Zelenskyy said.

"Russia must be held accountable for what it is doing – for the daily strikes, for the constant terror against our people, and for the war itself."