The number of victims of yesterday's Russian artillery shelling of the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy has risen to four, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in his traditional video address to the nation last night, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
At least 28 people were injured, including three children, the head of state said, citing updated information from local authorities.
A Reuters video showed teams of rescuers and police officers inspecting debris-strewn streets in the city with a population of about 255,000 people, located just 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
Zelensky said that at least one rocket had been fired at Sumy.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president announced in his evening video address and reorganization in the Ukrainian army with the appointment of a new post of commander, who resigned due to a deadly Russian attack.
According to Zelensky, Major General Mykhailo Drapati, who retired as commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, takes the post of commander of the combined forces.
"From now on, Mykhailo Drapati will concentrate mainly on combat operations. This way, he will be able to devote himself entirely to the actions on the front line," the Ukrainian leader explained.
The Chief of Staff of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - Andriy Yermak, discussed in the US capital Washington the situation on the front in Ukraine and the results of the second round of Ukrainian-Russian negotiations in Istanbul with the White House Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg, Ukrinform reported, quoted by BTA.
Other topics of conversation between the two were the importance of strengthening sanctions on Russia and military aid to Ukraine, the Ukrainian news agency added.
The Ukrainian delegation in Washington also includes the country's First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko.
"In Washington, together with my team, I met with the US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg. "We discussed the situation on the front lines, the results of the meetings in Istanbul, the importance of increasing sanctions on Russia and military aid to Ukraine. We also talked about the children taken to Russia. We have provided Russia with lists and are waiting for a response - it is crucial to return them home. This is an important issue and we appreciate the US assisting in the process of its implementation," Ermak wrote on the Telegram app.
He stressed that Russia is doing everything possible to avoid a ceasefire, and this must be blocked by force, since Ukraine has exhausted all peaceful means to end the war. According to Ermak, given that Russia refuses to voluntarily stop fighting, Ukraine is forced to carry out military operations to destroy the Russian military arsenal, Ukrinform reports.
"We are grateful to US President Donald Trump and the American people, as well as to both parties (Republican and Democratic - ed.) for supporting Ukraine," added Zelensky's chief of staff.