Russia unleashed a devastating barrage of nearly 150 drones and missiles across Ukraine, killing at least four civilians, as President Trump questioned Putin’s willingness to end the conflict despite earlier optimism.
At a Glance
- Russia’s massive aerial assault targeted multiple Ukrainian regions, killing four civilians and wounding numerous others including children
- Attacks struck residential areas in Pavlohrad and Kostyantynivka, with additional strikes reported in Odesa, Zhytomyr, and Kherson
- Ukrainian forces intercepted or jammed over 120 Russian drones and decoys during the overnight assault
- President Trump expressed doubt about Putin’s desire for peace after meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at Pope Francis’ funeral
- Trump criticized Putin for targeting civilian areas and suggested new sanctions could be imposed on Russia
Widespread Russian Attacks Target Civilian Areas
Russia’s military launched a devastating aerial assault across Ukraine, firing approximately 149 drones and missiles at multiple civilian population centers. The Ukrainian Air Force reported successfully intercepting 57 of the unmanned aerial vehicles while electronically jamming another 67 during the nighttime assault. The wide-ranging attacks resulted in multiple civilian casualties as several drones and missiles struck residential areas in different regions of the war-torn country, continuing Russia’s pattern of targeting non-military infrastructure.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, a drone attack on the city of Pavlohrad killed one person and wounded a 14-year-old girl, according to Ukrainian officials. Meanwhile, Russian airstrikes in Kostyantynivka, located in the Donetsk region, proved even more deadly with three civilians killed and four others wounded. Additional drone strikes wounded civilians in both the southern Odesa region and the northern city of Zhytomyr, while a separate Russian airstrike wounded four more people in Kherson.
Contested Territory and Competing Claims
The latest round of attacks comes as both sides continue fighting for control of the Kursk region, where Russia claims to have regained territory previously seized by Ukrainian forces. Russian officials announced recapturing several settlements in the border region, though Ukrainian military sources report ongoing combat operations in the area. The conflicting narratives highlight the difficulty in verifying battlefield developments as both sides attempt to portray momentum in their favor during this protracted conflict.
The Russian Defense Ministry also claimed to have shot down Ukrainian drones in Russia’s Bryansk region and over annexed Crimea. Meanwhile, the Russian-installed mayor of Horlivka in the Donetsk region reported that five residents were wounded by Ukrainian shelling, further demonstrating how civilians on both sides continue bearing the brunt of the violence as military forces exchange fire along the extensive front lines stretching across eastern and southern Ukraine.
Trump’s Shifting Position on Russia-Ukraine Peace Prospects
President Donald Trump has publicly rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin following the latest attacks on Ukrainian civilians. After previously suggesting a peace deal was within reach, Trump now appears skeptical about Putin’s willingness to end the conflict. The shift in tone came after Trump briefly met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Pope Francis’ funeral in Vatican City, marking their first face-to-face encounter since a tense meeting in February.
Trump had previously claimed the warring nations were “very close to a deal,” but his recent comments suggest growing frustration with Russia’s continued aggression. The President hinted at the possibility of implementing additional sanctions against Russia, representing a tougher stance than his earlier rhetoric which had emphasized a quick resolution to the conflict. This evolving position reflects the complex diplomatic challenges facing any potential peace negotiations as the war approaches its third year with no signs of de-escalation.
Rising Civilian Toll and International Response
The latest casualties add to the mounting human cost of a conflict that has claimed thousands of civilian lives since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Despite international condemnation of strikes on residential areas, Russia continues targeting civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. The overnight drone campaign represents one of the most extensive aerial assaults in recent months, demonstrating Russia’s continuing capability to launch large-scale attacks despite Western sanctions and Ukraine’s improving air defense capabilities.
The international community remains divided on how to respond to Russia’s ongoing aggression, with Western nations continuing to provide military and financial support to Ukraine while seeking to avoid direct confrontation with nuclear-armed Russia. The latest attacks and Trump’s critical response highlight the significant diplomatic hurdles that would need to be overcome to reach any lasting peace agreement, despite occasional claims of progress in behind-the-scenes negotiations.
