KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A recent Russian drone attack has tragically resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including a child and a 76-year-old woman, while injuring ten others in Pavlohrad, a city located in southeastern Ukraine. This incident was reported on Friday by regional officials and follows a sharp rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin by U.S. President Donald Trump for a deadly missile strike on Kyiv the previous day.
The Ukrainian air force indicated that Russian forces launched an extensive offensive, firing 103 Shahed drones and decoys against five regions overnight. In addition to the casualties in Pavlohrad, authorities in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions reported damages to civilian infrastructure without any reported injuries. The barrage on Kyiv on Thursday was particularly severe, marking the deadliest assault on the capital since July, with at least 12 fatalities and 87 injuries.
In response to these attacks, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Russia's aggressive actions toward Kyiv, stating, “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying.” He emphasized that there is urgency in finalizing a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, echoing a growing concern among U.S. officials about the waning prospects for peace as negotiations appear stalled.
Meanwhile, Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, was scheduled to meet with Putin in Moscow for the second time in a month. This follows a series of earlier discussions aimed at paving a path towards a potential resolution of the ongoing conflict. Both President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were set to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, although it remains uncertain if the two leaders will hold a separate meeting during their visit to Rome.
On the battlefield, President Zelenskyy reported that during the Russian attack on Kyiv, there was a subsequent escalation in ground assaults by Russian forces, with nearly 150 attacks launched against Ukrainian positions along the extensive 1,000-kilometer front line. He highlighted this tactic as a calculated strategy to escalate offensive operations while Ukrainian forces were preoccupied with defending against air attacks.
Western European leaders have criticized Putin for being unwilling to engage seriously in negotiations, suggesting he is hoping to annex more Ukrainian territory amid his military's current momentum. Trump has similarly criticized Zelenskyy for prolonging the conflict by refusing to cede Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. Zelenskyy has consistently stated that recognizing occupied territory as Russian is a fundamental red line for Ukraine.
Recently, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine had agreed to a ceasefire proposal from the U.S. 44 days ago as a critical initial step toward establishing a lasting peace; however, ongoing attacks from Russia have continued to undermine these efforts. In recent weeks, Russian forces targeted various Ukrainian cities, including Sumy, resulting in civilian casualties and substantial destruction.
In summary, the humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict is evident, with civilians suffering greatly amidst the continuing military aggression from Russia. The situation remains volatile, with little progress in diplomatic avenues for peace as violence escalates on the ground.
