Ukraine and Russia exchanged heavy aerial strikes overnight, just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump discussed a temporary halt to attacks on energy infrastructure.
Despite Putin’s pledge to pause strikes on such targets, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of breaking its word almost immediately, citing a massive overnight assault involving 150 drones.
The Kremlin, in turn, condemned an attack on an oil facility inside Russia, blaming Ukraine for what it called a “lack of will” to reach a peace deal. However, Kyiv was not involved in the Trump-Putin negotiations, and no formal ceasefire agreement had been signed. While the White House had pushed for a 30-day truce that Ukraine was willing to accept, Putin refused to commit beyond the limited halt on energy strikes.
Zelensky, speaking from Finland on Wednesday, criticized the Russian leader for contradicting his own promises. “Putin’s words are at odds with reality,” he said. He also called on the international community to reject any attempts by Russia to prolong the war without a real commitment to peace. Zelensky is expected to discuss the situation with Trump directly, while broader peace talks are scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 145 drones, two ballistic missiles, and four anti-aircraft missiles in its overnight assault. The strikes targeted several regions, including Sumy, Odesa, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, and Chernihiv. Ukrainian forces managed to shoot down 72 drones, but critical infrastructure was still hit, including a hospital in Sumy and an electrical system that powers rail transport in Dnipropetrovsk.
Despite damage to the power supply, Ukraine’s state railway company, Ukrzaliznytsya, confirmed that trains continue to operate on schedule. However, at least one person was killed, and 14 others were injured in the attacks between Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Ukrainian officials.
Zelensky emphasized that the continued strikes demonstrate Russia’s lack of commitment to ending the conflict. He also expressed concerns over the details of the discussions between Trump and Putin, noting that Ukraine had not been formally included in negotiations about a potential ceasefire.
The US has remained engaged in diplomatic efforts to mediate a resolution, but Russia’s latest attacks suggest little progress toward a broader peace agreement. With new negotiations planned for the weekend, the international community is closely watching to see whether Putin will be pressured into making meaningful concessions.
As the war rages on, Ukraine continues to push for stronger support from its allies, arguing that any temporary pause in hostilities must lead to a concrete and lasting peace rather than another opportunity for Russia to regroup and prolong the conflict.
