Trump Condemns Russia's Deadly Assaults Amid Rising Tensions
In a sharp rebuke of Moscow's military campaign, former US President Donald Trump condemned Russia's recent drone and missile attacks on Ukraine as an attempt to "keep killing people." His comments came on the heels of a tense phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which concluded without any diplomatic resolution.
Massive Drone Offensive Shakes Ukraine
The unprecedented bombardments, described by Ukraine’s air force as the largest since the conflict began, forced residents across the country to seek shelter. Kyiv’s skies buzzed with drone activity as air defense systems scrambled to quell the intense wave of 539 drones and 11 missiles.
A Kyiv local recounted the harrowing experience, saying, "Nothing like this attack had ever happened before. There have never been so many explosions."
Human Toll and Infrastructure Damage
- At least three people were wounded in eastern Ukraine amid drone and artillery strikes overnight.
- A strike damaged the Polish embassy in Kyiv, though no embassy staff were harmed.
- Emergency services reported at least 26 injuries and one person rescued from rubble in Kyiv.
Diplomatic Talks and Military Support
Despite ongoing talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump focusing on strengthening air defense, no breakthrough was achieved in curbing Russia’s offensive. Zelensky expressed the need for increased pressure on Moscow, underlining the urgency as new Russian territorial gains were announced in the Donetsk region.
Meanwhile, the US has recently scaled back some military aid deliveries to Ukraine, prompting calls from European Union leaders to "step up" support amid the escalating conflict.
Russia Stands Firm on Military Operations
While publicly stating a preference for resolving the invasion through political means, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov affirmed that Russia would continue its "special operation" until its objectives are met.
Continuing Cycle of Retaliation and Stalled Peace Efforts
The relentless attacks come amid stalled peace negotiations, with the last meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegations occurring over a month ago. Both sides recently completed a prisoner exchange as part of earlier agreements, yet broader ceasefire talks have made little progress.
In a countermeasure, Ukraine has increased its strikes into Russian territory, with a drone attack reportedly causing civilian casualties in the Rostov region.
Human Impact Amid Conflict
Kyiv residents continue to face the psychological toll of the warfare, often seeking refuge in metro stations during air raid alerts. One local described the fearful moments during attacks as a tense brace for impact, not knowing what’s next.