A tragic Russian missile strike hit the town of Bogodukhiv in eastern Ukraine early this morning, resulting in the deaths of four civilians. Local officials confirmed that three of the victims were young children from the same family. The attack targeted a residential area, destroying several homes and leaving a 74-year-old man and a pregnant woman in critical condition.

This escalation comes as international mediators from the U.S. and UAE are reportedly hosting quiet diplomatic talks in Abu Dhabi. While the discussions are officially focused on prisoner exchanges and the safety of grain corridors, there is hope for a broader ceasefire framework. However, the continuous targeting of civilian infrastructure in the Kharkiv region remains a major hurdle for any peace negotiations.

In response to the strike, the United Nations has issued a stern condemnation, calling for an immediate end to attacks on non-military targets. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has once again appealed to Western allies for advanced air defense systems to protect smaller towns that have become frequent targets of long-range Russian artillery.