Ukraine and Russia Exchange Attacks Following Trump-Putin Discussion
Ukraine and Russia exchanged drone and missile attacks overnight, after a Trump-Putin call where Russia agreed to pause energy-target strikes but rejected a broader ceasefire. Ukrainian leaders expressed concern about Russia’s tactics, and damage to infrastructure resulted in casualties. Further negotiations are anticipated to address ongoing military tensions.
Ukraine and Russia engaged in aerial assaults overnight, following a recent call between President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. While the Kremlin stated they would temporarily halt attacks on energy infrastructure, they did not agree to a broader ceasefire that the US has proposed. The White House indicated a narrow pause for energy target attacks would commence, aiming to pave a path for further negotiations.
Reports indicate that overnight, Russia launched attacks involving 145 drones, two ballistic missiles, and four anti-aircraft missiles, targeting multiple regions including Sumy, Odesa, and Kyiv. Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the interception of 72 drones during these assaults. Unfortunately, civilian infrastructure sustained damage, including a hospital in Sumy and critical failure affecting railway operations in Dnipropetrovsk.
The latest attacks resulted in one fatality and 14 injuries, as reported by Ukrainian officials. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia’s relentless nighttime attacks, stating, “It is these types of nighttime attacks by Russia that destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians.”
In response, Russia claimed to have shot down 57 Ukrainian drones, with 35 intercepted over the Kursk border. In a separate incident, a Ukrainian drone ignited a fire at an oil depot in the Krasnodar region, prompting emergency services to respond swiftly to the blaze.
Putin’s announcement of a pause on energy infrastructure attacks was made after his conversation with Trump, which he seemed to positively receive, per a Kremlin statement. However, the Kremlin also stipulated strict conditions for any comprehensive ceasefire, including a complete cessation of foreign military aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky noted the importance of understanding the specifics of the proposed pause, suggesting Russia was not truly prepared to enter into a ceasefire. He emphasized that, “Today, Putin essentially rejected the proposal of a comprehensive ceasefire,” urging the global community to dismiss any tactics to prolong the conflict.
The recent communications between Trump and Putin highlighted the complexities surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with both parties at odds over terms for a ceasefire. Russia’s overnight missile strikes exemplify the ongoing violence as Ukraine seeks clarity around the proposed energy infrastructure pause. President Zelensky’s comments reflect the need for vigilance against Russia’s strategies that could potentially escalate the situation, emphasizing that true peace requires actionable commitments on Russia’s part.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
