Additional Coverage:
Kyiv Under Renewed Drone Fire as Weekend Attacks Claim 24 Lives
Ukraine faced another barrage of Russian drone strikes overnight Sunday, following a weekend of devastating aerial attacks that left at least 24 dead. The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting 73 of the 119 Shahed drones launched by Russia, while another 37 failed to reach their targets. Impacts were recorded across several regions, including Donetsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia.
In response, Ukraine continued its own long-range strikes into Russian territory Saturday night. Moscow claimed to have downed 88 Ukrainian drones across eight regions, leading to temporary flight restrictions at several Russian airports.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, linking them to the effectiveness of Western sanctions. He asserted that Russian weaponry relies heavily on foreign-sourced components, emphasizing the need for continued international cooperation to strengthen sanctions and bolster Ukraine’s air defenses.
The intensified Russian strikes coincide with a controversial decision by US President Donald Trump to suspend military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a move aimed at forcing negotiations with Russia. This follows a weekend that saw a significant escalation in attacks, with Friday’s assault involving 145 drones and three missiles. Saturday’s strikes tragically claimed 24 lives, hitting residential areas and a shopping center in Dobropillya.
European leaders strongly condemned the attacks. Polish President Donald Tusk criticized appeasement, while EU diplomat Kaja Kallas called for increased military support for Ukraine. President Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for international support and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to ensure an effective defense and a path towards peace.
The pause in US aid has raised concerns among Ukrainian and European officials, particularly in light of President Trump’s characterization of Zelenskyy and Ukraine. High-level talks between Ukrainian and American officials are scheduled for next week in Saudi Arabia to discuss ways to end the conflict. President Trump’s recent comments on the situation have further fueled anxieties, with his stated belief that Russia is “bombing the hell out of Ukraine” and his suggestion that dealing with Russia might be easier than with Ukraine.