Russian Drone Strike Kills 12 Miners in Dnipro, Ukraine Labels Attack 'Terrorist'
A Russian drone strike has killed at least twelve miners and injured seven others in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, with the attack occurring just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a delay in crucial peace negotiations. The strike targeted a bus transporting mineworkers after their shift, sparking a fire that emergency services later extinguished.
Energy Firm DTEK Condemns 'Large-Scale Terrorist Attack'
Ukrainian energy company DTEK, which owned the bus, issued a strong statement accusing Russian forces of carrying out "a large-scale terrorist attack on DTEK mines in the Dnipropetrovsk region." The company confirmed that "the epicentre of one of the attacks was a company bus transporting miners from the enterprise after a shift" in the region.
This deadly incident comes amid freezing winter conditions across Ukraine, with temperatures plummeting to -30°C in some areas. Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure throughout the conflict, leaving thousands without power or adequate heating during the harsh winter months.
Peace Talks Delayed Amid Escalating Violence
President Zelensky had earlier announced that trilateral peace discussions involving Ukrainian, Russian, and US officials would be postponed. The talks, originally scheduled for Sunday, will now take place on February 4th and 5th in Abu Dhabi.
"Ukraine is ready for a substantive discussion, and we are interested in ensuring that the outcome brings us closer to a real and dignified end to the war," Zelensky stated, emphasising his nation's commitment to diplomatic solutions despite the ongoing violence.
Ukraine Implements Starlink Verification to Counter Russian Drones
In a related development, Ukraine's Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced new measures to counter Moscow's use of satellite internet technology on attack drones. Only authorised Starlink terminals will be permitted to operate within Ukraine as part of enhanced security protocols.
Fedorov explained that Ukraine is collaborating with Elon Musk's satellite internet technology and has taken initial steps to counter Russian drone operations. "The next step is to implement a system that will allow only authorised terminals to operate in Ukraine," he confirmed, noting that Ukrainian users will need to register their Starlink terminals for verification in coming days.
European Security Concerns Over Russian Combatants
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has raised alarm about potential security threats from Russian ex-combatants entering Europe's Schengen area. He warned that "battle-hardened fighters who pose a direct threat to Europe's internal security" could be deployed by the Kremlin to wage hybrid warfare within the European Union.
Tsahkna called for a blanket ban on Russian soldiers who fought in Ukraine, stating that "when there will be peace, we can imagine that we will have hundreds of thousands of ex-combatants coming to Europe." His comments highlight growing concerns among European nations about long-term security implications of the conflict.
Mounting Casualty Figures and Humanitarian Aid
A recent report from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies indicates that casualties in the Ukraine conflict could reach two million by spring, with Russia suffering what researchers describe as the heaviest losses of any major power since World War II. Between February 2022 and December 2025, Russia reportedly suffered 1.2 million casualties, including up to 325,000 troop deaths.
Amid the humanitarian crisis, Ukraine has received two lorry loads of potatoes from Berlin following a bumper harvest in Germany. This donation comes as Ukraine faces severe food shortages, particularly in areas where energy infrastructure has been damaged by Russian attacks.
Political Pressure for People-Focused Peace Deal
Vitaliy Kim, governor of Ukraine's Mykolaiv Oblast region and a key Zelensky ally, has called for a peace agreement that prioritises people over land. His intervention ahead of the Frontline Cities and Communities Forum 2026 signals a potential shift toward compromise, with regional leaders seeking security guarantees rather than focusing exclusively on border disputes.
As diplomatic efforts continue alongside military escalation, President Zelensky has emphasised that February will be "a period of quite intense foreign policy activity," expressing hope that the United States will maintain active engagement in de-escalation measures. The international community watches closely as Ukraine navigates these complex challenges of warfare, diplomacy, and humanitarian need.
