In Kyiv, Ukraine witnessed a devastating drone attack that resulted in at least seven fatalities, while a Russian strike on the city of Odesa claimed two more lives on Thursday. This turmoil erupted just as the United States and Ukraine finalized a significant agreement permitting the U.S. to access Ukraine’s mineral resources, a deal that had been long in the making.
The drone assault targeted a market in Oleshky, located in Ukraine’s partially Russian-occupied Kherson region, leading to the death of seven individuals and injuring over 20 others, according to Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor of the region. Saldo stated on Telegram that the attack occurred when the market was bustling with people and added that subsequent drone strikes aimed to “finish off” any survivors.
Simultaneously, in the early hours of Thursday, a Russian drone strike in the Black Sea port city of Odesa led to the deaths of two individuals and injured fifteen others, as reported by Ukrainian emergency services. Regional Governor Oleh Kiper explained that the barrage targeted residential apartments, private houses, a supermarket, and a school. Videos he shared illustrated significant damage to buildings and fire crews combating widespread blazes.
In another incident, a drone set ablaze a petrol station in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, according to local Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
These events follow after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed grievances that Russia has brushed off a U.S proposal for a total and unconditional ceasefire for over fifty days. Zelenskyy said, “We proposed at least to abstain from hitting civilian infrastructure for an enduring peace, but Russia has met these overtures with fresh attacks.”
Recently, the U.S. and Ukraine inked an accord allowing American access to Ukraine’s substantial mineral resources. This deal, concluded on the previous day, enables sustained military assistance to Ukraine amidst concerns regarding the possibility of the U.S. withdrawing support in peace talks with Russia.
Zelenskyy first suggested such a strategy last year to secure Ukraine’s future by closely aligning with U.S. interests. Ukrainian officials revealed that initial versions of the agreement would have relegated Ukraine to a secondary role while granting extensive rights over the nation’s resources to the U.S., but emphasized that the finalized version was far more favorable for Ukraine.
Post-signing, Zelenskyy hailed the resource agreement as the first outcome of discussions he had with Trump at the Vatican and termed the pact “historically significant.” In his nightly address, he clarified that as per the agreement, no past financial obligations related to U.S. aid remain. He indicated that the deal would soon be submitted to the parliament for ratification and anticipated no hindrances in the process.
Zelenskyy declared the agreement to be equitable, fostering investment opportunities within Ukraine. “This indicates collaborative efforts with America on just terms where Ukraine and the U.S., aiding us in defense, profit through partnership,” he remarked.
Yet, the U.S. Secretary of State pointed out uncertainties looming over the larger peace deal sought between Ukraine and Russia. On a Fox News segment, Marco Rubio stated, “There remains a gap in positions. They’ve narrowed it, but there is a considerable stretch to cover.”
Within Ukraine, reactions varied. Some locals welcomed the minerals deal as a diplomatic triumph, while others voiced apprehension. Former economy minister Tymofiy Mylovanov described the agreement as a significant political and diplomatic success, asserting that Ukraine effectively safeguarded its interests under intense pressure.
Mylovanov shared on Facebook that unlike earlier propositions, the deal permits Kyiv to sell to firms beyond American ones. He noted that the agreement acknowledges contributions from both countries, with Ukraine benefiting from project revenues, while the U.S. potentially offers military aid.
Opinions on the streets of Kyiv were split. While some residents hadn’t grasped the full implications of the economic agreement, they remained hopeful it would aid Ukraine’s cause. Others expressed concerns, worrying that their nation’s assets were becoming mere bargaining chips globally, with reliance on foreign entities for protection disheartening them.
Meanwhile, Moscow’s response to the minerals deal was subdued, likely due to an ongoing holiday. Nonetheless, Dmitry Medvedev from Russia’s National Security Council accused Trump of coercing Ukraine into surrendering its mineral riches to secure U.S. military aid.
He stated, “Now the national wealth of a fading nation is being exchanged for military supplies.” Vladimir Rogov, a Russian official, claimed Zelenskyy’s actions relegated Ukraine to “legally imposed servitude.”