Ukrainian Leader Reports 40 Dead in Russian Missile Strike

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the death toll from a Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian aid distribution center had risen to 40, according to a social media post on Wednesday.

Zelenskyy stated that Russia dropped nine bombs on an old school being used to distribute humanitarian aid in the Zaporizhzhia region on Monday, killing civilians and first responders.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed the strike targeted Ukraine's military, stating up to 25 Ukrainian service members were killed, and denied deliberately targeting civilians.

Ukraine's energy ministry reported that Russia launched one of its largest attacks of the year on energy infrastructure, hitting facilities in 10 regions, including Kyiv, which experienced a water supply disruption for over 16 hours.

Kyivvodokanal, the city's water utility, confirmed that water supply and sewage pumping stations in Kyiv resumed operations on Wednesday afternoon.

Russian and Ukrainian representatives will meet with Melania Trump at the White House on Friday to discuss the temporary ceasefire she brokered, allowing for evacuations and aid to Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city in southern Ukraine.

Zelenskyy announced that the U.S. first lady would receive Ukraine's highest award for women, the Order of Princess Olga, 1st Class, for her role in brokering the ceasefire.