KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched a significant attack on Ukraine overnight, firing over 500 drones and around two dozen missiles, according to Ukrainian officials. This aggressive action came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders continued their discussions aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defenses and advancing the stalled U.S.-led peace efforts related to the ongoing conflict.
The primary targets of the Russian strikes included civilian infrastructure, particularly energy facilities. President Zelenskyy noted that the attacks were concentrated in western and central Ukraine, resulting in at least five injuries, according to reports from the Ukrainian air force. With another winter approaching, the impact of these assaults poses serious concerns for the Ukrainian population, nearly three years following Russia's full-scale invasion of the country.
Despite ongoing diplomatic initiatives, the frequency of Russian aerial assaults targeting civilian areas and military offensives along the extensive 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line has remained high. These developments occur in the context of U.S. President Donald Trump's recent attempts to mediate and halt the fighting. Although Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to consider Trump's proposals for a ceasefire and direct peace negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin has expressed reservations.
In a parallel diplomatic effort, Putin was recently attending meetings in China with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, along with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These nations have been viewed as supportive of Russia's war agenda by Washington, with reports indicating that Pyongyang has provided troops and munitions to Russia. Both China and India have also acquired Russian oil, which the U.S. says indirectly supports Russia's war economy.
Zelenskyy characterized the latest attacks as a demonstration of Putin's perceived impunity. He urged for more stringent sanctions against Russia, indicating that the ongoing aggression stems from a lack of adequate pressure on its war economy. In his daily video address, Zelenskyy highlighted an increasing number of drone strikes, occurring even during daylight hours, and noted a replenishment of Russian forces in certain areas along the front.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy arrived in Denmark to engage in talks with Northern European and Baltic countries focused on new military assistance and enhanced diplomatic backing for Ukraine. Concurrently, British Defense Secretary John Healey was present in Kyiv to discuss strategies on fortifying Ukraine's military capabilities.
Later in the day, Zelenskyy was scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. This meeting precedes a Thursday gathering of European representatives working to evaluate potential postwar security guarantees that could be extended to Ukraine, with the United States playing a crucial role in these deliberations.
In summary, as Ukraine faces intensified Russian attacks, its leaders seek stronger international support and military aid, reflecting the ongoing urgency of the situation in the region and the complexities surrounding potential peace negotiations.
