At least five killed in 'intense' Russian strikes hit Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions

At least five people have been killed and 13 injured in Russian strikes overnight on Tuesday that targeted the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions, days before US President Donald Trump's deadline for Moscow to agree to a truce or face additional tariffs expires.

One person was killed in a strike targeting the city of Lozova in the Kharkiv region that hit critical infrastructure, including high-rise buildings and a residential area, the city's mayor said, calling it the "most intense attack" on the town since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in early 2022.

"Sadly, people have been injured, including two children. Rescue workers, medics and emergency services are working at the scene. We are documenting the consequences," Serhii Zelenskyi said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched a ballistic missile and nearly 50 UAVs against Ukraine, the majority of which were Iranian-made Shaheds and their Russian equivalents.

More than 25 hit Lozova in eastern Ukraine, he added. The strikes damaged a railway, including a depot and a station and left parts of the city without electricity.

In the Zaporizhzhia region, four people were killed and three injured, according to Governor Ivan Federov.

Russia carried out "431 strikes on 16 settlements" in the Zaporizhzhia region, Federov wrote on Telegram, saying the attack struck residential buildings, homes, commercial buildings and warehouses.

Zelenskyy said two people were injured in the village of Bilenke. "Once again, the Russian army is hunting civilians in an attempt to terrorise frontline cities and communities," the Ukrainian president added in a post on X.

The strikes come as Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to travel to Russia, days before the end of the deadline for Moscow to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine or face significant US tariffs.

Trump has ramped up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a truce as Moscow continues to strike Ukrainian towns and cities, shortening a previous deadline of 50 days to 8 August.

Despite this, Russia has continued to strike Ukraine overnight with additional attacks on the Odesa and Sumy regions, Zelenskyy said.

"Pressure must be increased, and this will undoubtedly contribute to peace," he stated. "We look forward to meaningful and decisive steps."