Russian air attacks overnight targeted several Ukrainian cities, killing a child and injuring at least 24 people, officials reported on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
The strikes came just one day before a scheduled third round of direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed late Monday that discussions with Russia are expected to continue next week.
However, expectations remain low following two earlier rounds of negotiations that ended without major progress.
Despite diplomatic efforts backed by the Trump administration, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not shown any signs of shifting his position.
Previous peace meetings in May and June were held in Istanbul and included prisoner and body exchanges, but no broader agreements were made.
Reports suggest the next round could also take place in the Turkish city.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues along the 1,000-kilometer front line.
Russia is actively pushing offensives in Ukraine’s eastern and northeastern regions while increasing its drone and missile attacks on civilian areas.
Overnight, Russian forces hit the Sumy, Odesa, and Kramatorsk regions.
In Kramatorsk, a guided bomb struck an apartment block, igniting a fire. A young boy, born in 2015, died in the attack, and five others were hurt.
In Sumy, the region faced several waves of attacks. A drone strike on a gas station in Putyvl injured four people, including a 5-year-old boy.
A second drone returned less than two hours later, wounding seven more.
Later, two glide bombs were dropped on Sumy city, leaving 13 injured, among them a 6-year-old boy.
The blasts damaged homes, apartment buildings, and a shopping center.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that it had shot down 35 Ukrainian long-range drones, including three over the Moscow region.