Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Attack on Ukraine Amid Ongoing Peace Talks

Russia launched a significant drone and missile assault on Ukraine overnight, deploying 653 drones and 51 missiles. Ukrainian forces intercepted 585 drones and 30 missiles; however, 29 locations were struck, resulting in at least eight injuries, including three in Kyiv. The attacks targeted critical energy infrastructure, causing a temporary power outage at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported strikes on industrial facilities and residential buildings in the Kyiv region, as well as in the Dnipro, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Lviv, Volyn, and Mykolaiv regions. He noted that energy facilities were the primary targets and described the attack on the main railway station building in Fastiv as "meaningless from a military point of view."

Simultaneously, Russia's Ministry of Defence claimed its air defenses shot down 116 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory. Reports from Russian media indicated that Ukraine targeted Russia's Ryazan Oil Refinery, with regional governor Pavel Malkov confirming damage to a residential building and debris falling at an industrial facility, though he did not specify the refinery.

These hostilities occurred amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Ukrainian and U.S. officials, including U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, have been engaged in discussions aimed at establishing a security framework for post-war Ukraine. Both parties emphasized that meaningful peace depends on Russia's commitment to long-term resolutions.

Additionally, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to meet with President Zelenskyy, British leader Keir Starmer, and German leader Friedrich Merz in London to deliberate over ongoing negotiations concerning Ukraine. Macron reiterated France's steadfast support for Ukraine and condemned the latest Russian missile strikes targeting Ukraine's energy and rail infrastructure.