Kyiv endured one of its worst nights of bombardment as Russia launched a record-breaking 550 drones and 11 missiles overnight, Ukrainian authorities confirmed on Friday. The attacks, which struck nearly every district of the capital, left at least 23 people injured and widespread infrastructure damage, including railway lines, burning vehicles, and damaged buildings.
Acrid smoke lingered over the city on Friday morning after hours of explosions, air raid sirens, and intense anti-aircraft fire. Ukraine’s air force revealed that 72 of the drones managed to breach air defenses a new and alarming record.
The assault came just hours after a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. Following the call, Trump expressed disappointment, saying, “I don’t think [Putin] is looking to stop, and that’s too bad.” Despite Trump’s efforts to mediate, there was no progress towards ending the war, which has now raged for over three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba condemned the latest attack as “one of the worst” Kyiv has endured, suggesting it was timed to show contempt for diplomatic overtures. Andrii Sybiha, a senior Ukrainian official, said on social media that the strike “clearly shows [Putin’s] disregard for the United States and everyone calling for an end to the war.”
In Russia, officials reported a woman killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on a village near the border in the southern Rostov region.
The Kremlin remains firm on its war objectives, reiterating that it seeks to eliminate what it calls the “root causes” of the conflict. Putin has repeatedly insisted that Ukraine belongs within Russia’s sphere of influence, recently declaring, “The whole of Ukraine is ours.”
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky hopes to speak with Trump about restoring the flow of U.S. weapons to Ukraine, following reports of delays in critical arms shipments. Trump, speaking to reporters, acknowledged that weapons are still being sent but emphasized the need to safeguard U.S. reserves.
As Russian strikes intensify and diplomatic channels falter, Kyiv braces for further escalation.
