Russia Pounds Ukraine With Drones Amid Uncertain Ceasefire Talks

Kyiv, Ukraine – Russia carried out a large-scale overnight drone assault on multiple Ukrainian regions, targeting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Tuesday that approximately 40 Russian attack drones were detected during the attack, some of which successfully struck their intended targets.

One of the most devastating impacts was reported in Sumy, where a hospital suffered a direct hit, causing severe damage.

Additionally, several cities in Donetsk Oblast sustained strikes, with explosions reported in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, leaving parts of Sloviansk without electricity.

The Ukrainian Air Force responded to the attacks, issuing air raid alerts across multiple regions, including Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy. Ukrainian officials also warned of a potential ballistic missile threat during the bombardment.

Zelensky Condemns Attacks, Calls for Stronger Global Response

President Zelensky strongly condemned the overnight assaults, stating that they are part of Russia’s ongoing efforts to cripple Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and disrupt civilian life. He emphasized that these continued attacks signal the Kremlin’s rejection of international peace initiatives.

Zelensky also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for dismissing a ceasefire proposal, urging the international community to impose additional sanctions, increase military aid, and reinforce security guarantees for Ukraine. “Russia must face real consequences for its aggression,” he said in a televised address.

Conflicting Claims Over Ceasefire Proposal

The Kremlin, meanwhile, claimed that Putin had approved a proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump for a temporary 30-day halt on strikes against energy infrastructure by both Russia and Ukraine.

However, Ukraine has yet to receive concrete details regarding the ceasefire format discussed between Trump and Putin.

Zelensky expressed skepticism, stating that while Ukraine supports an energy-sector ceasefire, it must be based on transparent agreements and not unilateral claims.

He asserted that Ukraine would not stand idly by if Russia continued its assaults on critical infrastructure and would respond accordingly.

Border Clashes Intensify in Belgorod and Sumy Oblasts

In a separate development, Zelensky addressed Russia’s claim that Ukrainian forces attempted to enter Belgorod Oblast. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian troops launched five attacks near the settlements of Demidovka and Prilesye in one day.

In response, Zelensky stated that Ukraine has the right to take preemptive measures against Russian offensives, particularly given the large concentration of Moscow’s troops near the Sumy border.

He acknowledged that Ukrainian operations are ongoing in Belgorod Oblast, describing them as part of broader strategic military actions.

Additionally, Ukrainian officials have reported increased Russian attempts to breach the border with Sumy Oblast using small assault groups and sabotage units.

However, Ukraine’s defense forces have so far managed to repel these incursions. The Ukrainian General Staff reassured that, despite Russian advances, the situation in border regions remains under control.

As hostilities continue to escalate, Ukraine is urging its allies to step up support, warning that Russia’s intensified attacks pose a growing threat to stability in the region.

 

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members