26 Killed in Ternopil Russian Strike Amid Controversial US Peace Proposal
A Russian missile and drone attack on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil has killed 26 people, including three children, marking one of the deadliest assaults on the region since the 2022 invasion, Ukrainian authorities said on Wednesday.
The strike occurred as reports emerged of a US peace proposal that would see Kyiv cede territory and reduce its armed forces by more than half, including giving up long-range weapons, according to a source familiar with the plan.
Kyiv has rejected such terms, which echo Russia’s maximalist demands.
The attack devastated residential blocks in Ternopil, far from the front line. Emergency services scrambled to clear rubble while thick smoke and rising chlorine levels forced authorities to advise residents to stay indoors. Dozens of rescuers used cranes and heavy equipment to search for survivors.
Wrapped in a pink blanket, 46-year-old Oksana recounted the loss of her 20-year-old son. “I called him from the minibus and said, ‘Bohdan, get dressed and come out.’ He said, ‘Mum, don’t worry, everything will be fine.’ But it was too late,” she said. Her sister added: “Their apartment is completely gone… He still has not been found.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, noting the victims were “simply at home, peacefully sleeping.” UN human rights chief Volker Turk called the strike “appalling,” highlighting the growing use of long-range missiles and drones against civilians.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga added: “This is how Russia’s ‘peace plans’ look in reality.”
The assault coincides with efforts to revive negotiations. Zelensky had sought to engage the United States during a visit to Turkey, but a planned meeting with an American envoy did not materialise.
The US Army Secretary, Daniel Driscoll, arrived in Kyiv to discuss military support with Ukrainian officials. Top military commander Oleksandr Syrsky described the talks as “productive,” emphasising the need for stronger air defences and expanded long-range strike capabilities.
Meanwhile, the draft US peace proposal reportedly calls for Ukraine to recognise Russian-held regions, shrink its army to 400,000 personnel, and relinquish long-range weapons, though it remains unclear what concessions Russia would make in return. Kyiv has previously dismissed similar proposals as tantamount to capitulation.
The strike comes amid heightened Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter, further straining Kyiv’s forces. Despite slow advances, Moscow has warned it will continue its offensive if Ukraine does not accept its terms.
