Ukraine’s Zelensky accuses US of inaction as Russian strikes kill nearly 80 in 2 days

What happened in Kramatorsk and other Ukrainian cities during the two days of Russian strikes?

Russian strikes caused mass casualties across Ukrainian cities over two days. Kramatorsk suffered one of the largest attacks, when a bomb tore through two buses and killed at least 35 people. A later drone attack there killed two more, according to city authorities.

Other attacks widened the damage. A Russian drone and missile assault killed 22 people in a residential building in Pryluky. Kyiv reported four deaths and 19 injuries, while a guided bomb killed two people in a southeastern Dnipropetrovsk village. One person died in Ivano-Frankivsk.

The attacks also damaged daily life. Kyiv faced interruptions to water and electricity supplies. Officials said repairs would take time. Russia has continued drone strikes against Kyiv, including attacks on warehouses, data centres, and the power grid. Ukrainian officials say the strikes deliberately target civilians, while Moscow denies targeting them.

How many people were killed or wounded across Ukraine, and which attacks caused the largest losses?

The strikes killed 78 people and wounded 215 across Ukraine during the two days, Zelensky said. Those figures show that the attacks were not isolated incidents. They formed a wider campaign affecting several cities and communities.

Kramatorsk recorded 35 deaths after a Russian bomb hit two buses, making it one of Russia’s biggest single attacks of the year. Pryluky suffered 22 deaths when a mass Russian drone and missile assault struck a residential building. Kyiv reported four deaths and 19 wounded in morning attacks.

The total also included two deaths in a southeastern Dnipropetrovsk village and one in Ivano-Frankivsk. Kramatorsk later reported two more deaths from a drone attack. The figures could change because some bodies had not yet been identified. The attacks also wounded 20 people in Kramatorsk and disrupted essential services in Kyiv.

What is Starlink, and how could satellite internet help Ukraine detect or respond to Russian missile attacks?

Starlink is a satellite-based internet network. It can provide communications without relying entirely on local cables, towers, or other ground infrastructure. That matters during war, when strikes can damage power supplies and communications networks.

The article says Zelensky urged the United States to expand Ukraine’s access to Starlink so it could help target Russian ballistic-missile launchers. Satellite internet could link Ukrainian units, sensors, aircraft, or drones and help move information quickly. It is a communications tool, not itself an air-defense weapon or detection system. Its usefulness would depend on access, coverage, equipment, and battlefield conditions.

Zelensky argued that stronger access could help Ukraine defend its skies and pressure Russia toward negotiations. Washington’s response is central because the requested access involves a US-linked service. The article does not say that expanded access was granted.

Why is Zelensky accusing the United States of inaction, and what does he want Washington to do?

Zelensky accuses the United States of inaction because he sees a contradiction in its approach. Washington is trying to mediate the war, yet US and Russian officials are discussing future economic projects involving the Nord Stream pipelines. At the same time, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the war a stalemate.

Zelensky wants Washington to expand Ukraine’s Starlink access, help defend its skies, and increase sanctions pressure on Russia. He said Starlink could support efforts to target Russian ballistic-missile launchers. He also wants air defenses discussed in upcoming talks, because Russian attacks are continuing almost constantly.

Ukrainian negotiators were due to travel to the United States for talks on Friday and Saturday. Zelensky expected European partners to join them. He urged President Donald Trump to apply more pressure while the United States continues seeking a settlement.

What happens to civilians and essential services when cities are repeatedly hit by missiles and drones?

Repeated missile and drone attacks create both immediate danger and lasting disruption. Civilians can be killed or wounded in homes, buses, and streets. The attacks in Kramatorsk and Pryluky show how quickly one strike can produce large numbers of casualties.

Essential services also suffer. Kyiv officials reported interruptions to water and electricity after morning attacks, and said repairs would take time. Russia has renewed attacks on Ukraine’s power grid ahead of winter. It has also targeted warehouses and data centres, which can affect storage, business operations, and digital services.

The damage compounds over time. Emergency workers must identify bodies, treat the wounded, clear debris, and restore infrastructure while new attacks continue. Yandex said it could not yet determine whether equipment at a damaged data centre could be restored. Ukraine is trying to strengthen air defenses and mirror some Russian attacks, but the article describes continuing pressure on cities.

Why are the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and European countries involved in both battlefield actions and negotiations over the war?

The war combines battlefield action with diplomacy because military pressure and negotiations are happening at the same time. Russia is launching missiles, drones, and guided bombs across Ukraine. Ukraine is defending its cities and seeking stronger military support while trying to influence Russia’s willingness to negotiate.

The United States occupies several roles in the article. It is pursuing a settlement, discussing sanctions, and considering economic issues involving the Nord Stream pipelines. US officials are also talking with Russian officials. Ukraine wants Washington to increase pressure on Moscow and expand support for air defenses and Starlink.

European countries are involved as Ukraine’s partners and are expected to join talks with the United States. Their participation could broaden negotiations beyond the two main combatants. The article does not describe a final agreement. It says Ukrainian negotiators were traveling to the US, while fighting and attacks continued.

How do air defenses, satellite communications, drones, and guided bombs shape modern warfare?

Air defenses, communications, drones, and guided bombs shape how quickly attacks are detected and answered. Air defenses try to protect cities from missiles and drones. Satellite communications help forces share information when ground networks are damaged. Drones can carry out attacks or provide battlefield information without putting a pilot directly in danger.

The article gives several examples. Zelensky wants Starlink access to help Ukraine target Russian ballistic-missile launchers. Russia used drones and missiles against cities, while a guided aerial bomb killed people in a Dnipropetrovsk village. Ukraine also carried out a drone attack that hit equipment at a Yandex data centre.

These technologies extend the battlefield beyond front lines. They can threaten buses, homes, power grids, warehouses, and data centres. The article shows that stronger communications and air defenses may improve Ukraine’s response, but repeated attacks continue causing civilian deaths and infrastructure damage.

Key Facts:

📌 A bomb attack in Kramatorsk killed at least 35 people.

📌 A residential-building strike in Pryluky killed 22 people.

📌 Kyiv reported four deaths and 19 injuries.

📌 Zelensky reported 78 people killed and 215 wounded in two days.

📌 Kramatorsk recorded 35 deaths in a bus attack.

📌 Pryluky’s residential-building strike killed 22 people.

📌 Zelensky asked Washington to expand Ukraine’s Starlink access.