Russia Deploys 539 Drones and 11 Missiles in Overnight Assault

The biggest drone strike of the ongoing conflict hit Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, overnight, causing major damage and at least 23 casualties. According to Ukrainian authorities, residents were forced to seek shelter in underground bunkers after Russia launched 11 missiles and 539 drones. According to city officials, the attack damaged several residential buildings and public infrastructure in six of Kyiv’s ten districts.

Attack Follows Trump-Putin Phone Call

The massive strike occurred just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke over the phone. Trump expressed skepticism about Russia’s willingness to de-escalate the conflict and called the call “disappointing.” “I don’t believe he is present. Trump added, “And I’m really disappointed.” “I don’t believe he wants to stop.” In response, the Kremlin reaffirmed its commitment to tackling what it described as the conflict’s underlying causes.

Ukrainian and International Reactions

Vladimir Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, urged the international community to put more pressure on Moscow and denounced the attack as “deliberately massive and cynical.” Although Polish officials confirmed no employees were hurt, the Polish embassy in central Kyiv reported damage to its consular section. The attack’s human cost was highlighted by a local woman whose apartment was struck, who said her building was now uninhabitable.

Escalating Airstrikes and Chemical Weapon Concerns

The devastating effects of the conflict, which started with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, have been exacerbated in recent weeks by an increase in the frequency and lethality of Russian airstrikes against Kyiv. Targeting civilians is denied by both countries. Evidence of Russia’s extensive use of prohibited chemical weapons, such as choking agents dropped from drones to dislodge Ukrainian troops from trenches, was revealed by Dutch and German intelligence services on Friday. In May of last year, Russia was accused by the United States of using a chemical that is prohibited, chloropicrin. While Russia’s defense ministry denies using illegal weapons and accuses Ukraine of doing the same, Ukraine claims thousands of such incidents. Independent third-party investigators have yet to verify these claims.