Four Killed in Dnipro Missile Strike as Diplomatic Push to End Ukraine War Intensifies

A Russian missile strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro has left four people dead and around forty injured, according to local authorities. The attack, which took place early Monday morning, caused a powerful explosion near a motorway. Videos circulating online showed flames bursting from the side of the road while nearby cars, shops, and an office building suffered extensive damage. Although unconfirmed, some reports suggest that a ballistic missile may have been used.

Dnipro lies about one hundred kilometres from the front line and has faced repeated Russian attacks since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. This latest strike comes at a sensitive time in ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict.

The attack occurred just one day before the arrival of US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, where he is scheduled to meet President Vladimir Putin. Witkoff has held multiple meetings with Putin this year as part of an expanding diplomatic effort. Notably, he has not yet travelled to Kyiv. On Sunday, a Ukrainian delegation met Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Donald Trump’s son in law, Jared Kushner, in Florida. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the discussions as constructive while acknowledging that difficult issues remain unresolved. Rubio echoed these comments, saying the talks had been productive but that more work was necessary.

The Florida meeting was the latest in a series of high-pressure diplomatic exchanges in which Ukrainian and Russian teams have separately engaged with US officials to explore possible compromises. Despite this, the distance between the two sides remains wide. Russia continues to insist that Ukraine withdraw from the parts of the Donbas region still under its control. Kyiv has repeatedly rejected this demand and argues that surrendering territory is not an option. Putin has said that if Ukraine does not retreat voluntarily, Russia will force the issue militarily. Zelensky responded by saying that Moscow had shown contempt for sincere efforts to end the war.

Security guarantees for Ukraine also remain a major sticking point. Kyiv and European governments want long term protection for Ukraine, potentially through NATO membership. Russia strongly opposes this and Donald Trump has publicly stated that he would block Ukraine from joining the alliance.

While diplomatic efforts continue, Zelensky has been travelling across Europe seeking support from allies. He arrived in Paris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron and will continue to Ireland. At the same time, concerns have grown within Ukraine and Europe that Washington may be becoming more accepting of Russian positions than Ukrainian ones. European officials have also expressed frustration at being excluded from key negotiations.

Zelensky’s position at home has been complicated by a corruption scandal involving senior officials. His chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, resigned on Friday after investigators raided his home. He has not been accused of any crime, but the situation has weakened confidence in the government. Two cabinet ministers were also dismissed. Trump commented from Air Force One that Ukraine was facing some difficult internal issues while insisting that both sides wanted an end to the war.

The conflict, which began long before the 2022 invasion, has taken a heavy toll. Tens of thousands of soldiers have been killed or wounded, thousands of civilians have died, and more than seven million people have been forced to flee their homes. The roots of the crisis stretch back to 2014, when Ukraine’s pro-Russian president was ousted, and Russia seized Crimea while supporting separatist movements in eastern Ukraine.