Russian President Vladimir Putin has intensified aerial assaults on Ukraine, launching a fresh wave of missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, just a day after US President Donald Trump publicly criticised him and lamented stalled diplomatic efforts.
At least two people were killed and 16 injured in a massive overnight assault on the Ukrainian capital, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Thursday.
The barrage reportedly involved 18 missiles and nearly 400 drones, most of which targeted Kyiv.
Kyiv officials said drone debris struck a residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district, sparking multiple fires across the city. Residents were forced to shelter for more than three hours as explosions lit up the night sky and air defences scrambled to intercept incoming attacks. Unverified social media footage captured scenes of panic and destruction.
The onslaught came less than 24 hours after what Ukrainian authorities described as Russia’s largest aerial offensive to date, during which 728 drones and 13 cruise or ballistic missiles struck several Ukrainian cities.
Ukrainian police reported that eight districts in Kyiv were hit in Thursday’s wave of strikes.
“Residential buildings, vehicles, warehouses, office and non-residential buildings are burning,” said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration, on Telegram.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed the deaths of a 68-year-old woman and a 22-year-old police officer. Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said a primary healthcare centre in the Podilsky district was “almost completely destroyed.”
Authorities have urged residents to remain in shelters until given the all-clear and to keep windows closed due to heavy smoke lingering over the city. It remains unclear if other regions of Ukraine suffered similar casualties.
While the Russian military has not stated the reason for the renewed assault, President Zelensky accused Moscow of escalating its “terror campaign.”
“Russia is obviously stepping up terror,” he said. “It is necessary to be faster with sanctions and pressure Russia so that it feels the consequences of its own actions. Our partners need to act more decisively—investing in weapons production and developing critical technology.”
Zelensky said he would hold talks with international partners on Thursday to secure additional funding for interceptor drones and air defence systems.
The renewed violence underscores the dimming prospects for diplomacy. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday that “all diplomatic efforts have been exhausted.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed that sentiment, signalling a continued stalemate.
Meanwhile, President Trump, who has maintained frequent contact with Putin, voiced frustration over the Russian leader’s conduct. “We get a lot of bull, thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump told reporters. “He’s very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”
Peskov dismissed Trump’s remarks, noting, “Trump’s way of talking is generally quite harsh… We’re pretty calm about it.”
Despite previously claiming he could end the war “in one day,” Trump has yet to impose sanctions on Russia, though he continues to threaten them. A bipartisan bill making its way through Congress could introduce penalties for nations, including China and India, that purchase Russian oil and gas, a measure Trump indicated he might support.
In the meantime, Ukraine’s Western allies were refocusing efforts on military aid and economic pressure. A new EU sanctions package is being discussed and expected to dominate the agenda at a two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, beginning Thursday. Delegates from 77 countries are attending.
As the frequency and intensity of Russian drone attacks increase, strengthening Ukraine’s air defence capabilities is expected to top the list of priorities. Later Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of a summit in Malaysia.
Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 and shows little sign of abating.
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