The drone strikes result in casualties and underline the escalating violence in the Ukraine conflict.
Kyiv Endures Severe Drone Assault as Putin Dismisses Trump’s Peace Proposal
Kyiv Endures Severe Drone Assault as Putin Dismisses Trump’s Peace Proposal
In a devastating night, Kyiv is struck by an onslaught of drones amidst ongoing global political tensions.
The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was rocked by a series of intense drone strikes on Friday night, resulting in the death of one person and injuring 26 others, authorities reported. Dense smoke filled the sky over the city, a stark reminder of the latest aggression from Russia, which has claimed responsibility for launching a historic 539 drones and 11 missiles during the assault. This attack comes on the heels of a conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Trump expressed his disappointment over Putin's unwillingness to pursue peace negotiations.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, a record number of drones broke through air defenses, with 72 of the aircraft making it past, surpassing a previous record of 537 reported last Saturday. Air raid sirens persisted for over eight hours as Kyiv became the primary target in this latest offensive, characterized by the sounds of air defense systems and powerful explosions. Visuals shared online exhibited firefighters combating blazes across the city in the aftermath of the strikes, which President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized as a "significantly cynical" attack for their timing following the Trump-Putin call.
Zelensky criticized Russia's actions, asserting they displayed a clear message that Moscow does not intend to halt the conflict. He urged international allies, especially the United States, to escalate sanctions against Russia. On the same day, Zelensky discussed U.S. military support with Trump, highlighting the importance of air defense as Kyiv expressed concerns over a temporary halt to some military shipments, potentially jeopardizing its defense capabilities.
The overnight invasion caused damage to critical infrastructure in Kyiv, including railways, while schools and residential buildings suffered severe impacts. The Polish consulate was also reported damaged amid the chaos. The strikes extended beyond Kyiv, affecting various regions including Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Chernihiv, where rescuers discovered a casualty within the debris.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed the massive strike was a retaliatory measure against alleged "terrorist acts" by the Ukrainian government. Tensions surged further as Russia's southern Rostov region reported a death from a Ukrainian drone strike, indicating the rapid escalation of violence on both sides.
As the conflict persists into its third year following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, efforts to negotiate a ceasefire remain stagnant. Following his dialogue with Putin, Trump remarked on the absence of any progress towards peace, echoing concerns about Russia's steadfast approach and expansionist aspirations in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia would not cease its operations until its objectives are met. Meanwhile, NATO leaders are urging flexibility in U.S. arms policies to ensure Ukraine remains adequately supplied during this tumultuous period.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, a record number of drones broke through air defenses, with 72 of the aircraft making it past, surpassing a previous record of 537 reported last Saturday. Air raid sirens persisted for over eight hours as Kyiv became the primary target in this latest offensive, characterized by the sounds of air defense systems and powerful explosions. Visuals shared online exhibited firefighters combating blazes across the city in the aftermath of the strikes, which President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized as a "significantly cynical" attack for their timing following the Trump-Putin call.
Zelensky criticized Russia's actions, asserting they displayed a clear message that Moscow does not intend to halt the conflict. He urged international allies, especially the United States, to escalate sanctions against Russia. On the same day, Zelensky discussed U.S. military support with Trump, highlighting the importance of air defense as Kyiv expressed concerns over a temporary halt to some military shipments, potentially jeopardizing its defense capabilities.
The overnight invasion caused damage to critical infrastructure in Kyiv, including railways, while schools and residential buildings suffered severe impacts. The Polish consulate was also reported damaged amid the chaos. The strikes extended beyond Kyiv, affecting various regions including Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Chernihiv, where rescuers discovered a casualty within the debris.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed the massive strike was a retaliatory measure against alleged "terrorist acts" by the Ukrainian government. Tensions surged further as Russia's southern Rostov region reported a death from a Ukrainian drone strike, indicating the rapid escalation of violence on both sides.
As the conflict persists into its third year following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, efforts to negotiate a ceasefire remain stagnant. Following his dialogue with Putin, Trump remarked on the absence of any progress towards peace, echoing concerns about Russia's steadfast approach and expansionist aspirations in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia would not cease its operations until its objectives are met. Meanwhile, NATO leaders are urging flexibility in U.S. arms policies to ensure Ukraine remains adequately supplied during this tumultuous period.
