President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned a devastating Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian village, which left at least 33 people dead and dozens more feared buried under the debris of a former school. Speaking from Berlin, Zelensky labeled the tragedy one of the most brutal attacks of the conflict, noting that the site was being utilized as an aid distribution center at the time of the blast. The violence comes on the heels of a brief, rare ceasefire in the Kherson region—brokered by Melania Trump—which had briefly sparked hopes for a diplomatic opening before Moscow resumed its intense bombardment of the country.

Despite the escalating violence, diplomatic efforts remain in motion, with negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States scheduled for mid-November in Abu Dhabi. Zelensky continues to advocate for a direct summit with Vladimir Putin, though the Russian leader has remained resistant to face-to-face dialogue. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged Moscow to commit to genuine peace negotiations, emphasizing that Ukraine must have a seat at the table if any discussions regarding the country’s future take place, particularly amidst international uncertainty regarding the incoming U.S. administration’s stance on the war.