Kharkiv — At least 14 civilians, including three children, were killed in overnight Russian drone strikes across Ukraine, with major damage reported in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia. The attacks come amid renewed diplomatic efforts, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington following his recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call for a “just, comprehensive and sustainable peace” that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and international law. “We must stand ready to support any meaningful efforts toward that end,” said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

UNICEF condemned the strikes, urging an immediate halt to attacks on populated areas. “More young lives lost and devastated in brutal attacks,” the agency posted. “Protect children.”

Footage from Kharkiv shows a residential building with its upper floors torn apart, fires extinguished, and families displaced. In Zaporizhzhia, three people were killed and 20 injured, with Ukrainian forces reporting the interception of 88 drones and missiles overnight.

According to UN human rights monitors, July marked the deadliest month for civilians since May 2022, with 286 killed and over 1,300 injured. Short-range drones accounted for nearly a quarter of all casualties, while long-range missiles caused 40% of non-combatant deaths.

In frontline villages like Bilozerske and Dobropillia, basic services have collapsed. Hospitals, pharmacies, and banks have shut down, and only non-potable water is available. Older residents face the highest risks: people aged 60 and above made up over 43% of civilian deaths in 2025, despite representing just a quarter of Ukraine’s population.

With winter approaching and drone attacks intensifying, humanitarian agencies warn that vulnerable communities are being pushed to the brink.