Russia carried out its most extensive drone and missile assault on Ukraine late Friday night, shortly after a phone conversation between the US and Russian presidents concluded without any advancements.
AFP reporters in the capital witnessed the sound of drones flying over Kyiv and explosions occurring as Ukrainian air defence systems intercepted the offensive.
Former President Donald Trump stated that he made no progress with Vladimir Putin during their discussion, while the Kremlin reaffirmed its commitment to achieving Russia’s military objectives.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that air alerts were spreading throughout the nation as news of the president’s conversation surfaced.
“Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” Zelensky said on social media.
“All of this is clear evidence that without truly large-scale pressure, Russia will not change its dumb, destructive behaviour,” he added, urging the United States in particular to ramp up pressure on Moscow.
He reported that 23 individuals were injured during the Russian attack, which the air force disclosed involved 539 various types of Russian drones and 11 missiles. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force informed local media that this assault was the largest since the onset of the Russian invasion.
Russian overnight strikes have intensified in recent weeks. Moscow launched a record-setting number of drones and missiles at Ukraine in June, coinciding with the apparent stagnation of direct peace discussions between Kyiv and Moscow.
As anxiety rises in Kyiv regarding the ongoing supply of US military aid, crucial for Ukraine’s defence against drone and missile strikes, Russian attacks have escalated.
This week, the US announced a reduction in certain military aid deliveries to Ukraine, which EU chief Ursula von der Leyen interpreted as a clear indication that the bloc must “increase its efforts.”
Trump’s assessment of the conversation with Putin was unusually pessimistic. In contrast to most of his previous five discussions with Putin since resuming power in January, during which he expressed optimistic expectations for progress toward a resolution.
However, he has recently displayed growing frustration towards Putin after an initial shift in favour of the Russian leader.
Ukraine has also increased its drone operations targeting Russia, where an official reported the death of a woman due to a Ukrainian drone crashing into an apartment building.
