Russia Kills Three Ukrainian Children Hours After Trump Hands Putin a Multimillion-Ton Diesel Lifeline

Russian forces killed at least seven civilians, including three children, in an attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on October 10—just hours after US President Donald Trump announced a major agreement with Vladimir Putin involving millions of tons of Russian diesel fuel.

According to Zaporizhzhia regional authorities on October 10, Russian strikes hit residential buildings across the city. A direct hit caused part of a five-story apartment building to collapse, leaving residents trapped beneath the rubble.

Three children were among the seven people killed, while at least 10 others were injured, including another child. Two victims remained in critical condition as rescuers continued searching for survivors.

The deadly assault came less than a day after Trump described his conversation with Putin as “highly successful” and announced a deal on Russian diesel exports despite US sanctions intended to restrict Moscow’s war revenues.

The attack was part of a broader Russian aerial assault involving 160 drones, including 110 jet-powered drones. According to Ukraine’s Air Force on October 10, Ukrainian air defenses shot down or suppressed 117 drones, including 82 jet-powered aircraft.

Russian strikes were recorded at 14 locations, while falling debris was reported at another 10. Air defenses were also activated around Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine. At least seven people were confirmed killed in Zaporizhzhia, while a final nationwide death toll had not yet been established.

On October 9, Trump announced that Putin had agreed to supply more than 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel immediately, followed by another 500,000 tons in November, 1 million tons afterward, and potentially an additional 3 million tons.

The announced shipments would total more than 4.8 million metric tons. The US Treasury Department subsequently issued a temporary license easing sanctions on Russian diesel exports for six months, allowing additional shipments to international markets.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the agreement, warning that easing sanctions would strengthen Russia rather than bring an end to the war.

“Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world. Russia will repay the diesel with further terror and perfidy,” Zelenskyy wrote, arguing that renewed Russian petroleum exports would help prolong Moscow’s military campaign.

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