Flames and smoke rose from buildings in Ukraine’s capital as Russia intensified its drone and missile strikes amid the ongoing invasion.
Ukraine reported that overnight, Russia had targeted the country with 550 drones and missiles, coinciding with stalled U.S.-led peace talks.
The Ukrainian air force confirmed that Moscow had deployed 539 drones and 11 missiles, with air defense units successfully intercepting 268 drones and two missiles.
This marked Russia’s largest drone and missile assault on Ukraine, occurring just hours after a phone conversation between the U.S. and Russian presidents ended without any significant progress.
Journalists in Kyiv reported hearing the sounds of drones and explosions as Ukrainian air defense systems worked to repel the attacks.
President Trump stated that he had made no headway with Vladimir Putin regarding the war during their call, while the Kremlin maintained its commitment to achieving its military objectives.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that air raid alerts were sounding across the nation as news of the call surfaced.
He remarked that Russia’s actions demonstrated its unwillingness to end the conflict and called for increased pressure on Moscow, particularly from the United States.
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Zelensky reported that 23 individuals were injured in the Russian assault, which included a significant number of drones and missiles.
A representative from Ukraine’s air force described the attack as the largest since the beginning of the invasion.
In recent weeks, Russian attacks have intensified, with an AFP tally indicating a record number of drone and missile launches in June, as direct peace discussions between Kyiv and Moscow appeared to stall.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga criticized Putin for showing a blatant disregard for the U.S. and others advocating for an end to the war.
In Kyiv, many residents sought refuge in metro stations as fears grew over the continued supply of U.S. military aid, which is crucial for Ukraine’s defense against the ongoing assaults.
This week, the U.S. announced a reduction in some military aid deliveries to Ukraine, prompting EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to emphasize the need for the bloc to “step up” its support.
Trump’s assessment of his call with Putin was notably pessimistic, contrasting with his typically optimistic reports following previous discussions since regaining power in January.
