Ukraine Drone Strike Kills Seven After U.S. Deal \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A Ukrainian drone strike killed seven in Russian-occupied Kherson while a Russian barrage on Odesa left two dead, just hours after the U.S. and Ukraine signed a landmark agreement granting American access to Ukraine’s mineral resources. The deal could influence future military aid as Kyiv faces pressure in peace talks. Reactions in both Ukraine and Russia are sharply divided.
Quick Looks
- Kherson Attack: Ukrainian drone strike kills 7, injures 20+ in Oleshky
- Odesa Strike: Russian drones hit apartments, school, and supermarket, killing 2
- Kharkiv Damage: Petrol station set ablaze by drone strike
- Ceasefire Ignored: Zelenskyy says Russia rejected U.S. ceasefire plan
- Landmark Agreement: U.S. gains access to Ukraine’s mineral resources
- Deal Terms: No past debt for aid, open to non-U.S. buyers
- Zelenskyy’s View: Calls deal “historic” and “equal” partnership
- Ukrainian Voices: Mixed reactions on sovereignty and long-term gain
- Russian Response: Medvedev and others criticize deal as exploitative
- Strategic Timing: Agreement could reshape U.S. support in Trump-era diplomacy
Deep Look
Tensions across Ukraine escalated on Thursday as deadly drone strikes by both Russia and Ukraine coincided with the announcement of a new strategic partnership between Kyiv and Washington. The U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement, months in the making, gives the United States access to Ukraine’s vast untapped natural resources—a development both politically significant and symbolically charged amid ongoing warfare and stalled peace talks.
According to officials, a Ukrainian drone strike on a market in Russian-occupied Oleshky in the Kherson region killed seven people and injured more than 20. Moscow-appointed governor Vladimir Saldo claimed Ukraine launched additional drones after the initial wave to “finish off” survivors—though that narrative could not be independently confirmed.
Meanwhile, a Russian drone barrage on the southern city of Odesa killed two civilians and injured at least 15. Residential buildings, a supermarket, a school, and private homes were all damaged in the pre-dawn assault, according to Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper. Photos and video from the scene showed burned-out facades and emergency responders battling flames in the city’s center.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, another drone strike hit a petrol station, igniting a large fire, local mayor Ihor Terekhov reported. These incidents mark a continued pattern of tit-for-tat drone warfare targeting civilian infrastructure on both sides of the front lines.
A “Historic” Deal on Mineral Wealth
Just hours before the deadly exchanges, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. officials finalized an agreement that would open Ukraine’s mineral sector to American access and investment. The deal, Zelenskyy said in his nightly address, is the “first result” of his recent meeting with President Donald Trump during the Pope’s funeral at the Vatican.
The agreement is intended to secure Ukraine’s economic future while also reinforcing U.S. commitment to the country’s sovereignty. Importantly, it does not require Ukraine to repay past U.S. aid, a provision likely aimed at reducing domestic criticism amid fears Trump may scale back military support in future negotiations with Russia.
“This is a truly equal agreement,” Zelenskyy said. “It creates opportunities for both the Ukrainian state and the United States to earn as partners.”
The document will be sent to Ukraine’s parliament for ratification. Ukrainian officials say this version of the deal is far more favorable than earlier drafts, which would have given the U.S. outsized control over resource management.
Economic Stakes and Political Symbolism
Tymofiy Mylovanov, president of the Kyiv School of Economics and former economy minister, called the agreement a “huge political and diplomatic win.” He said Ukraine endured intense negotiation pressure but succeeded in defending its autonomy.
Mylovanov emphasized that the deal does not limit Ukraine to selling only to U.S. buyers, instead recognizing contributions from both sides—U.S. investment and military aid in exchange for shared revenue from new mineral projects.
However, reactions on the streets of Kyiv were mixed.
Diana Abramova, attending a rally for missing Ukrainian soldiers, said she remained hopeful. “Any action that brings us closer to Ukraine’s victory is something I support,” she said, though admitted the implications of the deal remain unclear.
Natalia Vysotska, a 74-year-old university lecturer, expressed cautious optimism. “If our experts signed it, I hope it will be beneficial,” she said.
Iryna Vasylevska, however, voiced skepticism. “It feels like we’re handing over our land just to survive,” she said. “I feel sorry for our land and our people.”
Russian Reaction: “National Wealth for Sale”
In Moscow, official reaction was relatively quiet due to a national holiday, but senior Russian voices sharply criticized the agreement.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, claimed the deal forces Ukraine to pay for military support with its natural resources, calling Ukraine a “disappearing country.”
Vladimir Rogov, a member of Russia’s Civic Chamber, went further, accusing Zelenskyy of reducing Ukraine to “legally prescribed slavery.”
While such statements align with Russia’s disinformation strategy, they underscore the strategic implications of the agreement. If the U.S. has a vested economic stake in Ukraine, its continued military support becomes economically justified, complicating Russia’s efforts to isolate Kyiv or fracture Western support.
What’s Next?
The minerals agreement could act as a linchpin in U.S.-Ukraine relations, especially as diplomatic momentum shifts and peace talks loom. Though the Biden administration initiated support for Ukraine’s defense, Trump’s return to influence—and his mixed signals on aid—make formal economic agreements more critical than ever.
The latest drone strikes show how fragile the battlefield remains, even as leaders discuss rebuilding, investment, and resource extraction. For Ukraine, turning its natural wealth into a strategic asset could strengthen its long-term sovereignty. For the U.S., the deal represents both a diplomatic anchor and a hedge against shifting domestic political winds.
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