Just a day after President Trump had a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow launched its largest missile and drone strikes against various cities in Ukraine since the onset of the three-year conflict in Eastern Europe.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Kremlin forces fired approximately 550 drones and missiles, with most being Shahed drones, alongside 11 missiles from Russia.
Ukrainian officials indicated that the attacks resulted in damage to residential buildings, ignited a vehicle fire, and involved an ambulance colliding with a damaged car. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that one individual was killed and at least 24 others were injured.
In a Telegram message, Klitschko shared that 12 people were hospitalized, and five ambulances were damaged during the assault.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed on social platform X that the first air raid alerts in Ukrainian cities coincided with media reports about the Trump-Putin talks. He emphasized that this demonstrates Russia’s unwillingness to cease hostilities.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed it intercepted 48 drones launched by Ukraine amidst the tensions.
The timing of the Russian attacks came less than 24 hours after Trump’s discussions with Putin, during which the president expressed skepticism regarding any progress toward resolving the prolonged conflict.
After his talk with Putin, Trump conveyed disappointment about the interaction, stating, “I don’t think he’s going to stop, and I say it’s a shame.”
On Friday morning, Trump communicated with Zelensky, who described their conversation as “important and fruitful,” covering topics like Russian strikes and broader military developments on the frontline.
They discussed possible enhancements in air defense and agreed to collaborate on bolstering air protection, also considering meetings between their respective teams.
Zelensky mentioned a detailed discussion around capabilities and joint production in defense, highlighting the readiness for direct projects with the U.S., which are deemed critical for security—especially concerning drones and related technologies.
Trump’s recent phone call with Putin, followed by his conversation with Zelensky, marked their first interactions after concerns arose over supplying air defense missiles to Ukraine, as there were worries about depleting U.S. stockpiles.
Trump remarked, “We’re giving weapons… But we have— you know, [former President] Biden has emptied our entire country of weaponry,” indicating the complexities tied to military support.
While Trump aims to bring an end to the Eastern European conflict that escalated with the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, success has been elusive. A Kremlin source noted that during their call, Putin informed Trump that Russia would not hesitate to target military entities within Ukraine.
Putin reportedly isn’t interested in suspending the discussions regarding weapons with Trump, though he remains open to ongoing consultations with Ukrainian officials, according to his aide, Yuri Ushakov.
