KYIV, Ukraine, May 3, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Russian drone strikes on Ukraine's second city of Kharkiv wounded about 50 people late Friday, officials said.

The attacks came hours after Russian strikes on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia wounded more than 20 people.

Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas have killed dozens of people in recent weeks despite the United States talking with both sides in a bid to end Moscow's three-year invasion.

"Nearly 50 people have been wounded because of the massive attack by the invader" on four districts, Kharkiv governor Oleg Synegubov wrote on Telegram. He said the injured included an 11-year-old girl.

"Fires have broken out. Residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and cars have been damaged" in the drone strikes, he added.

Kharkiv lies close to the Russian border and has been relentlessly attacked throughout Moscow's invasion.

The attacks come after Kyiv and Washington signed a landmark deal for extraction of minerals in Ukraine.

Russia has announced a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine next week that coincides with World War II celebrations in Moscow.

Kyiv has denounced it as a "manipulation" that is "just for a parade" that the Kremlin holds on Red Square every year.