Early Saturday, Russia launched a significant wave of drone strikes and air attacks in Ukraine, primarily hitting the Kharkiv region, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals, according to officials.
This latest offensive occurs amidst ongoing peace discussions between the two nations, which have been trying to resolve the conflict that has persisted for over three years.
During the night, Moscow fired a total of 215 missiles and drones toward northeastern cities. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that their air defenses managed to intercept 87 drones and seven missiles, which included one short-range Iskander missile.
The assault on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, left three dead and 21 injured, including infants over a month old and a 14-year-old girl, as noted by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Damage reports indicate that 43 buildings were affected, comprising 23 apartment blocks and 15 private homes. Hundreds of windows were shattered, roofs were damaged, and local businesses suffered extensively,” the Ministry stated via Social Platform X early Saturday.
In addition to Kharkiv, Russia’s attacks spanned several other areas, including Donetsk, Dnipro, Ternopil, and Odesa. According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andri Sibiha, the Russian Ministry of Defense asserted that these strikes were aimed at facilities used for repairing weaponry and storing ammunition.
Earlier this week, Russia retaliated with a drone strike after Ukraine targeted Russian airfields, which resulted in five fatalities.
This escalation follows a discussion between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former President Trump, who expressed concerns while the U.S. seeks to facilitate a ceasefire in Eastern Europe. Trump characterized the conversation as “good,” although he acknowledged that it wouldn’t lead to “instant peace” on the front lines.
Putin suggested that the Russian strikes were in retaliation for Ukraine’s recent “Operation Spider Web,” a complex operation that occurred last Sunday, during which Ukraine reportedly destroyed numerous Russian fighter jets.
Trump seemed to have shifted from promoting a local ceasefire to urging both parties to collaborate in order to resolve the conflict permanently. To date, Ukrainian and Russian representatives have met twice in Türkiye for diplomatic discussions. While no significant agreements have emerged, both sides did agree to exchange hundreds of prisoners.
