Ukraine-Russia conflict newest: Zelensky in Trump talks over US troop deployment – whereas Putin’s forces bomb Odesa | EUROtoday

The European Union’s international coverage chief Kaja Kallas has stated that Russian claims of a 91-drone assault on President Vladimir Putin’s private residence in Valdai are a “distraction” amid ongoing peace talks.

“Moscow aims to derail real progress towards peace by Ukraine and its Western partners,” Kallas wrote on X/Twitter on Wednesday.

“No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately targeted Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilians since the start of the war.”

Ukraine’s power ministry has reported that 170,000 folks have been left with out energy after Russian strikes on power infrastructure within the Odesa area.

In an announcement on Wednesday, it stated that emergency repairs have been ongoing.

Four house buildings have been broken within the bombing. Six folks have been injured together with three kids.

Oleh Kiper, the regional head stated the assaults “are further evidence of the enemy’s terror tactics, which deliberately target civilian infrastructure.”

Pictures present the destruction left within the aftermath of a Russian strike in Ukraine’s Odesa area, which left house buildings broken.

At least six folks, together with three kids, have been injured.

Europe rallied behind Ukraine on Tuesday over Russia’s unproven accusations that Kyiv had assaulted the presidential residence in Novgorod with drones in a single day into Monday.

The German authorities stated it shares Ukraine’s fear that the allegations could possibly be used for additional escalation.

A supply near French President Emmanuel Macron additionally stated that there was no proof to corroborate the accusations made by the Russian authorities.

“Ukraine and its partners are committed to a path of peace, while Russia has chosen to continue and intensify its war against Ukraine. This is in itself an act of defiance against President Trump’s peace agenda,” the supply instructed Reuters.

Overnight, Russian strikes on the southern Odesa area of Ukraine, brought on “significant” injury to 2 of the world’s power services, based on the nation’s main power supplier.

“The damages are significant,” DTEK stated in an announcement on Wednesday. “Restoring the equipment to working condition will take time,” DTEK said in a statement.”

The warring nations have continued to attack their opponent’s energy infrastructure, leading to blackouts for civilian populations.

Russian drone strikes on Ukraine’s Odesa region have injured four people including three children, according to Ukrainian authorities.

Residential buildings and energy infrastructure were also damaged in the attacks, according to Oleh Kiper, governor of the region.

“Strike drones attacked residential, logistics and energy infrastructure in our region,” he said in a statement on Telegram on Wednesday.

One of the children injured in the attacks was a 7-month-old infant. A 42-year-old man is also one of the injured, according to authorities.

President Vladimir Putin has ordered the expansion of the buffer zone in the regions of Sumy and Kharkiv in Ukraine, near Russia’s border, according to Valery Gerasimov, Putin’s chief of general staff, reports RIA.

The region has been used as a way to push Ukrainian troops away from the birder, citing attacks on Belgorod and Kursk.

Kyiv has rejected the zone, accusing Russia of using the region to justify deeper incursions into Ukraine’s territory.

Major Oleh Shyriaiev, who was awarded the top national decoration of Hero of Ukraine for his leadership on the battlefield, told The Times that he often intercepts transmissions in which orders to kill surrendering troops are given by Russian military leaders.

Combat observers say evidence of alleged war crimes by Russian troops has grown in recent months. Moscow has intensified its attacks on Ukraine even as peace talks continue between the US and European and Russian leaders.

Donald Trump said he is “very angry” after hearing reports that Vladimir Putin’s home was attacked.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has claimed that Kyiv launched a drone attack on Putin’s state residence on Sunday (28 December). Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky has denied the allegations, dismissing them as “typical Russian lies”.

Speaking during a press conference with Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (29 December), the US president said that he was not pleased by the reports. “It’s not the right time to do any of that”, he said.

Russian losses in the war in Ukraine have been growing at a faster rate than at any point so far since the invasion began in February 2022, new analysis suggests.

Analysis by the BBC found that 40 per cent more obituaries of soldiers were published in Russia this year compared with 2024.

The broadcaster, along with independent outlet Mediazonacompiled a list of named individuals using official reports, newspapers and social media, as well as new memorials and graves. In total, they were able to confirm the names of around 160,000 people who have been killed.