Ukraine War Live Updates: Zelensky Accuses Russia of Nuclear Terrorism, Calls for Azerbaijan Peace Talks After Drone Attacks in Sumy Region

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of nuclear terrorism following a missile strike on the city of Sumy during Palm Sunday celebrations, while reiterating Ukraine’s readiness to engage in trilateral peace talks in Azerbaijan if Moscow demonstrates genuine willingness for diplomacy.

The attack on Sumy occurred while civilians were observing Palm Sunday, according to CBS News reporting cited in Google News results. Zelenskyy condemned the strike as an act of nuclear terror, emphasizing that such actions undermine any prospects for peaceful resolution and constitute a violation of international norms.

Despite the ongoing hostilities, Zelenskyy affirmed Ukraine’s openness to negotiations, stating that Kyiv is prepared to meet with Russian officials in Azerbaijan under a trilateral format involving international mediators. This position was echoed in reports from Euronews and Corriere della Sera, which noted the Ukrainian president’s conditional readiness to engage Putin directly if Moscow ceases aggressive actions and shows commitment to diplomatic processes.

Reuters reported that Ukraine is simultaneously commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster, a context Zelenskyy invoked to highlight the dangers of nuclear escalation and the lasting consequences of atomic threats — drawing a parallel between historical negligence and current Russian conduct.

Meanwhile, Russian forces launched a prolonged assault on Dnipro, striking the city for over ten hours and resulting in at least five fatalities, with up to six individuals still believed to be trapped under rubble, according to Euromaidan Press via NewsNow. The barrage added to the toll of civilian infrastructure damage across eastern Ukraine.

Additional developments include allegations from Ticinonline that Moscow may be responsible for a cyberattack on the encrypted messaging platform Signal, though no conclusive evidence was presented in the available reports. Separately, Il Dubbio noted that while Russia has signaled openness to talks, it has postponed any potential Putin-Zelenskyy summit until prior agreements are fulfilled, indicating a conditional stance on high-level diplomacy.

The diplomatic landscape remains fractured, with Ukraine insisting on accountability for attacks on civilians and nuclear rhetoric, while Russia maintains its military operations amid fluctuating signals about negotiation readiness. Zelenskyy’s dual emphasis on deterrence and dialogue reflects Kyiv’s strategy of strengthening defense capabilities while keeping diplomatic channels open under verifiable conditions.

As of Sunday, April 26, 2026, the conflict continues to exert humanitarian and geopolitical pressure, with civilian populations bearing the brunt of strikes during religious observances and international actors monitoring for any shift toward de-escalation grounded in verifiable actions rather than declarations.