KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — An overnight aerial bombardment by Russia has struck Ukraine with unprecedented intensity, quashing any immediate hopes for a peace deal amidst ongoing hostilities.
This attack, reported to be one of the fiercest since the onset of the war three years ago, targeted six Ukrainian territories. Ukrainian officials confirmed that at least four people were killed and approximately 50 others injured in the overnight strikes. Among the victims were three emergency responders in Kyiv and another individual rescued from the debris of a collapsed apartment building in a northwestern city.
The timing of this attack closely followed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a potential response from Moscow regarding Ukraine’s recent drone attack on military airfields. Trump further mentioned in a statement that it might be more beneficial for Ukraine and Russia to “fight for a while” before any efforts for peace can be pursued. This shift in tone from Trump represents a stark contrast to his previous calls for an end to the war and suggests a diminishing focus on finding a resolution to the conflict.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukrainian civilian population has faced relentless bombardment, with the UN reporting over 12,000 civilian casualties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked, “Russia doesn’t change its stripes,” reflecting the grim reality of continuing hostilities.
Despite diplomatic efforts led by the U.S. for a peace settlement, including two rounds of direct negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, no significant progress has been achieved. The two nations remain divided on the terms necessary for ending the fighting.
In a bid to break the deadlock, Ukraine has proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire along with a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin. However, the Kremlin has effectively dismissed calls for a truce and has not shifted its stance on key demands.
An assessment by the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, noted the Kremlin’s ongoing attempts to misrepresent its willingness to negotiate in good faith, despite its firm refusal to make any concessions.
Looking ahead, further peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are anticipated in the upcoming weeks, accompanied by an expected exchange of prisoners of war.
During the recent attack, which involved 407 Russian drones complemented by 44 ballistic and cruise missiles, Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat reported that Ukrainian defenses managed to intercept around 30 cruise missiles and up to 200 drones.
Tragically, the Kyiv emergency responders who lost their lives were actively aiding civilians when the bombardment occurred. The Interior Ministry highlighted their bravery, stating, “They were working under fire to help people.”
In a pattern that has become all too familiar, the relentless Russian strikes also hit civilian areas, leading to significant destruction. Reporters observed damage to numerous non-military targets alongside military objectives during the assault.
In the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, hours of explosions unfolded as debris from drones ignited fires across various districts. Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the Kyiv City Administration, urged citizens to seek shelter from the ongoing attacks.
A 14-year-old resident of Kyiv, Vitalina Vasylchenko, recounted her harrowing experience during the bombardment. She sheltered in a parking garage with her 6-year-old sister and mother as explosions shattered their home. “I heard a buzzing sound, then my dad ran to me and covered me with his hand,” she shared. “Then there was a very loud explosion. My whole life flashed before my eyes – I already thought that was it. I started having a panic attack. … I’m shocked that I’m alive.”
In the Solomyanskyi district of Kyiv, a blaze broke out on the 11th floor of a 16-story apartment building due to the attacks, necessitating the evacuation of three residents by emergency services. The strikes also led to widespread blackouts in the city, leaving over 2,000 households without electricity.
In the western city of Ternopil, 10 people suffered injuries from an aerial attack, according to regional governor Viacheslav Nehoda. The assault resulted in damage to industrial and infrastructural sites, leading to power outages and disruptions in water supply throughout parts of the city.
Additionally, Russian forces targeted the western regions of Lviv and Khmelnytskyi, the northern Chernihiv region, and the central Poltava region, where at least three other individuals were reported injured.
Meanwhile, in Russia, Moscow’s air defenses successfully shot down 10 Ukrainian drones approaching the capital early Friday. As a precautionary measure, flights at Moscow airports were suspended temporarily in the aftermath of the threats.
In addition to the aerial defenses, several regions in Russia reported damage from Ukrainian drone attacks, with authorities confirming three injuries as a result of strikes on apartment buildings and industrial facilities.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have downed 174 Ukrainian drones across 13 regions on the same day, asserting that it also intercepted three Ukrainian Neptune missiles over the Black Sea.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued their assaults on Russian military installations, striking airfields along with other strategic military resources such as fuel storage sites and transport hubs.
An incident in the Belgorod region saw a locomotive derail early Friday from a sabotaged track, with local Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov attributing the damage to Ukrainian actions aimed at disrupting Russian rail operations.
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