Russian Glide Bombs Kill 20 in Zaporizhzhia; Trump Calls for New Ukraine Leadership
Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia killed 20 civilians, drawing condemnation from Kyiv, as US President Trump suggested new Ukrainian leadership amid diplomatic fallout from a recent diesel deal.
The day on the war
Russian forces launched a deadly glide bomb attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on October 10, killing 20 people, including three children, and wounding 18. Ukrainian officials reported that five guided aerial bombs struck residential buildings, reducing part of an apartment block to rubble. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, linking it directly to the US decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports, stating, "Today, Russia said thank you for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia."
In a related development, US President Donald Trump called for Ukraine to "get a new leader" who could make a deal, accusing President Zelensky of blocking a settlement and ignoring instructions not to strike Russian refineries. This occurred as negotiations between a Ukrainian delegation and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Miami were disrupted following the US-Russia diesel deal, with the Ukrainian delegation returning home on October 10. The UK government, in contrast, vowed on October 11 to maintain pressure on Russia, expressing "complete solidarity" with Zelensky and pledging to "strengthen its sanctions on Russia."
Along the front
Pokrovsk
Development: Russian troops launched 25 attacks, attempting to advance near Svitlе, Molodetske, and Novomykolaivka.
Source: UA General Staff
Huliaipole
Development: Russian troops attacked Ukrainian defensive positions 21 times, attempting to advance near Rybne, Verkhnia Tersa, and Hirke.
Source: UA General Staff
Borova direction
Development: Ukrainian forces recently advanced.
Source: ISW
Lyman
Development: Ukrainian forces repelled 10 Russian attacks near Nadiia, Novoiehorivka, and Novoselivka.
Source: UA General Staff
Strikes & the grid
Zaporizhzhia
What: Russian forces dropped five guided aerial bombs on residential buildings.
Toll: 20 killed, including three children, and 18 wounded (Ukrainian officials' claim)
Kyiv
What: Russian forces launched 160 drones overnight (October 9-10), causing power outages and stopping public transport in much of the city.
Toll: Power outages, public transport disruption
Rostov Oblast, Russia
What: Ukrainian forces conducted drone strikes against oil and railway infrastructure, causing a fire at the NZNP oil-loading terminal in Rostov-on-Don.
Toll: Fire and damage to oil infrastructure (geolocated footage)
Diplomacy & talks
US-Ukraine talks. Negotiations between a Ukrainian delegation and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Miami were disrupted following the US-Russia diesel deal, with the Ukrainian team returning home on October 10.
US leadership comments. US President Donald Trump called for Ukraine to 'get a new leader' to facilitate a deal, accusing President Zelensky of resisting compromise and ignoring instructions on refinery strikes.
Aid & sanctions
United Kingdom
Measure: Pledge to strengthen sanctions
Detail: Vowed to maintain pressure on Russia and expressed 'complete solidarity' with President Zelensky following the US-Russia diesel deal.
European Union
Measure: 22nd sanctions package
Detail: Ambassadors approved a package on October 7, expected to be formally adopted by mid-October, targeting Russia's defense industry with approximately 1,700 new items, focusing on missile programs and electronic components.
What we'll be watching next 72h
- Formal adoption of the EU's 22nd sanctions package against Russia's defense industry by mid-October.
- Further reactions and potential diplomatic shifts following US President Trump's call for new Ukrainian leadership.
- Monitoring Russia's winter 2026-2027 strike campaign against Ukraine's energy grid.
- Any further developments in the stalled US-Ukraine diplomatic track after the Ukrainian delegation's return from Miami.
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.