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Russian strike kills 18 in Ukraine: Zelensky says diplomacy means nothing to them

“The whole world sees it,” he said. “Each missile, every attack drone proves that Russia seeks only war.”

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a scathing rebuke following a devastating Russian ballistic missile strike on his hometown of Kryvyi Rih, which killed at least 18 people, including nine children. Zelensky said that “diplomacy means nothing” to Russia, accusing the country of deliberately targeting civilians and rejecting peace efforts.

The strike, which occurred in a residential area near a children’s playground, left a trail of destruction, with unverified videos circulating online showing bodies on the street and plumes of smoke rising into the evening sky. Cars were seen engulfed in flames, and the cries of shocked residents echoed in the background.

Dnipropetrovsk Regional Governor Sergiy Lysak confirmed on Saturday, April 5, that the death toll stood at 18, with 61 others injured, including 12 children. “This is the kind of pain you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy,” Lysak stated on Telegram, reflecting the profound grief in the city.

According to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of Kryvyi Rih’s military administration, the missile hit its target with precision, striking a densely populated area on Friday evening. Emergency operations continued overnight, but the scale of the tragedy was evident as rescue teams worked to clear rubble and aid the wounded.

Zelensky, who grew up in Kryvyi Rih, described the attack as no accident. “These strikes cannot be accidental – the Russians know exactly what they’re hitting,” he said in a post on X.

He pointed to additional attacks on the same day, including a drone strike in Kharkiv that killed five people and injured 34, and a targeted strike on an energy facility in Kherson, the Kherson thermal power plant, using a Russian FPV drone.

“Every Russian promise ends with missiles or drones, bombs or artillery,” Zelensky added, lamenting that Moscow has refused a ceasefire since March 11, despite ongoing international efforts.

The Ukrainian leader stressed that Russia’s actions demonstrate a clear rejection of peace. “A ceasefire could have already been reached – it is Putin who rejects it, it is Moscow that wants this war,” he said. He called for “sufficient pressure on Russia” to make them face the consequences of their actions daily, urging global partners, particularly the United States and Europe, to strengthen support for Ukraine.

“We count on their ability to put pressure on the sole cause of this war: Russia’s desire to destroy and kill,” Zelensky stated, expressing gratitude to those worldwide working toward a just peace.

Russia’s defense ministry, however, offered a conflicting narrative, claiming on Saturday that its forces had conducted a “precision strike with a high-explosive missile” on a restaurant in Kryvyi Rih, targeting a meeting of Ukrainian military commanders and Western instructors.

The ministry alleged up to 85 people were killed, including foreign officers, but provided no evidence to support this claim. It also reported that Russian air defenses had intercepted and destroyed 49 Ukrainian drones overnight, signaling continued escalation.

The attack on Kryvyi Rih, a city of around 600,000 people located about 70 kilometers from the front line, is part of a pattern of intensified Russian assaults on civilian areas, despite ceasefire talks. Earlier this week, another strike in the city killed four people, and the region has faced near-weekly attacks on residential targets.

The use of an Iskander-M ballistic missile with a cluster warhead, as reported in posts on social media, suggests a deliberate intent to maximize casualties, drawing widespread condemnation.

Zelensky’s plea for international action comes as global leaders, including those from the UK and France, have accused Russia of stalling peace negotiations. The tragedy has reignited calls for stronger air defenses and military support for Ukraine, with Zelensky emphasizing that only decisive action can force Russia to end the conflict. “The whole world sees it,” he said. “Each missile, every attack drone proves that Russia seeks only war.”

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India envoy Dinesh Trivedi meets PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman 

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman amid diplomatic tensions.

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India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

According to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Trivedi sought PM Modi’s guidance on further strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through a constructive and people-centric approach.

The meeting came a day after Trivedi held discussions with Tarique Rahman on matters of mutual interest and ways to advance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Dinesh Trivedi Meets Bangladesh PM

During his meeting with Tarique Rahman on Monday, Trivedi conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the Bangladeshi administration and its people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations with a people-centric approach.

The engagement took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Trivedi also shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the previous two months.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

The meeting assumed significance as Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will expedite the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led uprising in 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka also reiterated its request for India to return individuals it alleges were involved in the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July uprising who was shot on December 12, 2025.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to create a suitable environment to take forward relations between Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other officials attended the meeting.

India-Bangladesh Ties Amid Diplomatic Friction

The latest high-level engagements come amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries following a virtual press interaction by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The event, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia to mark the second anniversary of her ouster, prompted strong objections from Dhaka.

During the interaction, Hasina said she remained determined to return to Bangladesh in December and restore democracy, while acknowledging the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence upon her return.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently registered a strong protest and said the development had affected public sentiment and complicated efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has said the government had no involvement in the event. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was organised by a private media entity and clarified that New Delhi did not endorse views expressed at the forum.

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Trump, PM Modi will resolve tariff issue over Russian oil trade, says US official

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue over US tariff threats linked to India’s Russian oil trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue surrounding the threat of US tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.

Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The measure argues that such purchases directly contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Navarro comments on India’s Russian oil trade

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war began in 2022.

He alleged that India became heavily involved in the trade after Russia’s invasion and sold refined products on behalf of Russia, which he said helped support the Russian war effort.

“Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved,” Navarro said.

The White House adviser also claimed that the issue had since been resolved and attributed some of the shift in India’s Russian oil trade to an opinion article he recently wrote in the Financial Times.

Trump and Modi will resolve issue, Navarro says

Navarro said the relationship between Trump and Modi would help address the tariff-related issue.

“The president and your prime minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves,” he said, adding that it was not his place to intervene.

His comments come amid US concerns over countries purchasing Russian oil and proposed measures aimed at imposing additional tariffs on major buyers.

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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India-China face 100% tariff risk

The US Senate has passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

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The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

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