Russia unleashed its most extensive aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began, just hours after a tense phone call between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin ended in deadlock.
Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia fired 539 drones and 11 missiles overnight on Friday, wounding at least 23 people across multiple regions. The Ukrainian Air Force described the strike as the largest attack of the war to date, as air raid sirens wailed across the country and explosions rocked the capital Kyiv.
According to AFP journalists on the ground, residents took shelter in metro stations as air defence systems battled incoming threats throughout the night.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as further evidence that Moscow has no intention of ending the conflict. “Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” Zelensky said in a statement on social media, calling for stronger U.S. and international pressure on the Kremlin.
The attack followed an unproductive phone call between President Trump and Putin, their sixth since Trump’s return to office. Trump, who had previously expressed optimism about reaching a peace deal, admitted no progress was made. The Kremlin, meanwhile, reiterated its commitment to achieving its military objectives.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga decried the attack as a sign of “complete disregard” by Putin for diplomatic efforts and global appeals to end the war.
The escalation comes amid growing uncertainty in Kyiv over continued U.S. military support. Washington recently announced a reduction in certain military aid deliveries, prompting EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to urge the bloc to intensify support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to strike back. A Ukrainian drone reportedly crashed into a residential building in Russia, killing one woman, according to local officials.
As diplomatic hopes fade and hostilities intensify, Ukraine braces for further assaults while renewing calls for sustained international backing.
Written By Rodney Mbua
