Russia–Ukraine War Enters Fourth Year: Seven Killed in Smolensk Drone Strike, Air Attacks Reported in Zaporizhzhia

The Russia–Ukraine war has entered its fourth year, with continued cross-border strikes and diplomatic activity marking the anniversary. Fresh casualties have been reported on both sides amid ongoing military operations. The developments were reported by Reuters and regional authorities.

Drone Strike in Russia

Seven people were killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on a fertilizer plant in Russia’s Smolensk region, according to Russian state news agency TASS. Authorities said at least 10 others were injured in the attack.

Smolensk Governor Vasily Anokhin stated that the targeted facility, PAO Dorogobuzh, is a civilian industrial enterprise.

In a separate incident, one person was killed in a drone attack in the village of Markovo in Russia’s Kursk region, regional Governor Alexander Khinshtein said.

Strikes in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson

In Ukraine, four people were killed in Russian strikes in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to regional Governor Ivan Fedorov. He said Russian forces carried out 643 air strikes across 32 settlements. Two additional people were reported injured.

Further south, in the Kherson region, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said one person was killed and 11 others wounded. The attacks reportedly damaged three multi-storey residential buildings, a water tower, a communications tower and a gas pipeline.

Prospects for Trilateral Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a planned trilateral meeting between the United States, Russia and Ukraine in March could open the door for leader-level discussions.

Following a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy said in a social media post that high-level dialogue is necessary to resolve complex issues.

He also rejected allegations that Kyiv is pursuing nuclear weapons, calling such claims by Moscow an attempt to exert pressure in peace negotiations.

International Reactions

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said 11 South African nationals who had been lured into fighting alongside Russian forces have been repatriated.

In Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the Ukraine crisis. China’s Foreign Ministry said there is no alternative to sustained dialogue and negotiations, adding that the concerns of all parties should be taken into account.

Energy Concerns

Zelenskyy said repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline, which runs through western Ukraine, would not be completed quickly. The pipeline was damaged in a Russian strike in January. It carries Russian oil to Eastern Europe.

Hungary and Slovakia have expressed concern over supply disruptions. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has ordered increased security for key energy infrastructure and signaled opposition to new European Union measures supporting Ukraine until oil flows resume.

Regional Security Developments

Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said Ukraine’s first drone production facility in the UK has begun operations.

Meanwhile, Germany has reduced its budget allocation for purchasing attack drones for its armed forces from €4.3 billion to €2 billion, Reuters reported.