Russian Drone Strike Kills 15 in Dnipro Amid Peace Talks
A Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro has killed at least 15 people and injured over 30, officials confirmed on Friday. The deadly strike coincided with revelations that indirect peace talks between the warring sides were held in Qatar this week.
Key Details of the Attack
- Casualties: 15 killed, more than 30 wounded.
- Targets: A nine-storey residential building and a university building.
- Weapon Used: Iranian-made ‘Shahed’ drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the enemy attacked with Shahed drones, damaging a high-rise and a university. Regional Governor Serhiy Lysak reported significant destruction at a residential site, with rescue operations ongoing.
“The Russians hit a residential building. There is a lot of destruction. The rescue operation is ongoing,” he said.
Parallel Indirect Peace Talks in Doha
As the attack unfolded, both Kyiv and Moscow acknowledged indirect discussions in Doha on March 28-29. Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak clarified these were not direct negotiations with Russia but focused on prisoner exchanges and the return of deported Ukrainian children.
“There were no direct negotiations with Russia,” Yermak said. “The meeting in Doha was about the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed contacts occurred but echoed they did not constitute formal negotiations or direct dialogue.
“There have been contacts, but not negotiations,” Peskov told reporters. “There was no direct dialogue.”
Stalemate on Formal Negotiations
The positions for official talks remain far apart. Ukraine insists it will not negotiate directly until Russian troops withdraw from all its territory. Conversely, Russia states it is open to talks but will not relinquish the four Ukrainian regions it annexed in 2022.
The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions.
