There is no doubt that the news of Russian shells that killed 21 civilians in Ukraine’s Kherson is so painful and depressing (“Russian shells kill 21 civilians in Ukraine’s Kherson,” May 4, Gulf Today website).

It’s so unfortunate that the war between Russia and Ukraine is still on. Hundreds of innocent people have died. The Russian attacks destroyed many parts of Ukraine. According to the report, Russian shelling killed 21 civilians in and near the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson on Wednesday, including strikes on a hypermarket, a railway station and crossing, a petrol station and residential buildings, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Forty-eight people were known to have been injured, Zelensky said on the Telegram messaging app. “All civilians! With the day not yet over! In one region!” he wrote. He described the targets as “the bloody trail that Russia leaves behind with its shells.” The war between Russia and Ukraine has serious consequences for the rest of the world as well. The world is feeling the heat of unstoppable inflation because of increasing oil, gas and food prices. Ukraine was the world’s seventh-largest producer of wheat in 2021/22 with 33 million tonnes, because of war the supply of wheat has been badly affected. The war only destroyed countries. There are many ways to resolve outstanding deadly disputes between the two countries. Russia and Ukraine should adopt the way of negotiation rather than war. The world needs peace not war. Russia and Ukraine should start meaningful dialogue and powerful countries should play their vital role to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

I hope the sense of peace will prevail and Russia and Ukraine continue their progress and prosperity like both the countries were doing the best for their people and countries.

Usman Atta — By email