16 Killed, Dozens Injured in Ukraine as Russia Launches Airstrikes

On the morning of November 19 (local time), Russian forces launched airstrikes across Ukraine, resulting in 16 deaths and dozens of injuries as of this report.

The Ukrainian National Police announced via Telegram that at 7 a.m., Russian forces attacked the western city of Ternopil and its surrounding areas with drones and missiles, killing 16 people and injuring 64. The police added that 14 of the injured were children.

Police explained that two residential high-rise buildings were struck, leading to fires and subsequent building collapses. They also reported that industrial facilities and key infrastructure were damaged, though the exact extent is still being assessed.

From the previous night into the early hours of the day, Russian forces also bombarded other regions, including Kharkiv and Donetsk in the east, Dnipro, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv in the west, the capital Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and Dnipro. These areas also reported a significant number of injuries.

Apartment in Ternopil destroyed by Russian airstrike. Screenshot from Ukrainian police Telegram.

원본보기 아이콘

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in a Telegram message, "Such reckless attacks on everyday life show that there is not enough pressure on Russia," emphasizing that "effective sanctions and support for Ukraine can change this," and stressed the need for additional air defense missiles and other support.

Amid Russia's all-out airstrikes, President Zelensky traveled to T?rkiye on this day for talks aimed at resuming ceasefire negotiations.

Andriy Yermak, Head of the Presidential Office, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "I have arrived in T?rkiye as part of the delegation led by President Zelensky," adding, "All scheduled meetings are proceeding on time and in a productive working atmosphere." He continued, "We are in ongoing communication with U.S. envoy Steve Whitcoff," and "Together with our American partners, we are working to end Russia's invasion and secure a just and lasting peace."

Reuters reported that after completing his visit to T?rkiye and returning home, President Zelensky is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and U.S. Army Chief of Staff Randy George in Kyiv on November 20.

Earlier, the U.S. daily The Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump had dispatched a delegation of senior Pentagon officials to Ukraine to resume ceasefire negotiations with Russia.

The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine also stated on November 19, "Secretary Driscoll and the delegation arrived in Kyiv this morning on behalf of the Trump administration," adding, "They will conduct a fact-finding mission and meet with Ukrainian officials to discuss ending the war."

The U.S. delegation reportedly plans to visit Russia after Ukraine to meet with local officials there.

U.S. online media Axios reported that the Trump administration is secretly discussing a new peace proposal with the Russian side, consisting of a total of 28 items, aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.