Ukraine’s KYIV (AP) Amid a fresh Russian attempt to seize more of its neighbor’s territory, officials claimed Friday that waves of drones and missiles struck Kyiv overnight in the biggest aerial assault since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started more than three years ago.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed to have had a crucial and fruitful phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump just hours after the bombardment that left one person dead and at least 26 others, including a toddler, injured.
According to a statement by Zelenksyy, the two leaders talked about potential collaborative weapons manufacture between the U.S. and Ukraine, ways to bolster Ukrainian air defenses, and larger U.S.-led efforts to end the war with Russia.
When reporters questioned Trump about the call on Friday night, he responded, “I think we had a very good call.”
Trump answered, “I don’t know,” in response to a question about how to put an end to the bloodshed. I am unable to predict if it will occur or not.
Some military aid supplies to Ukraine, including vital air defense missiles, have been halted by the United States. The primary European allies of Ukraine are thinking about how they can help fill the gap. Although scaling up will take time, Zelenskyy said efforts are underway to expand Ukraine’s domestic weaponry sector.
Authorities reported that the seven-hour attack in Kyiv caused serious damage in several neighborhoods of the capital. As air raid sirens screamed, blasts sounded throughout the city and illuminated the night sky. Debris obstructed city streets, and emergency cars’ blue lights bounced off tall buildings.
Zelenskyy described the night as unpleasant and restless.
Russia’s long-range assaults on Ukrainian cities have been increasing. Russia unleashed the biggest aircraft attack of the war less than a week ago. This tactic has been implemented at the same time that Russia has made a determined attempt to breach portions of the about 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, where Ukrainian forces are facing intense strain.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 550 missiles and drones throughout the country overnight. Although Russia launched 11 missiles in the raid, the most were Shahed drones.
According to 23-year-old wedding photographer Alya Shahlai of Kyiv, the attack wrecked her home.
It was so loud that it would have been suicidal to stay at home, so we were all in the (basement) shelter, she told The Associated Press. Ten minutes before we went down, there was a huge explosion, the shelter’s lights went out, and everyone started to panic.
Officials reported that rescue personnel removed over 300 tons of rubble and damaged five ambulances while responding to calls.
Trump, Zelenskyy talks
Zelenskyy congratulated Trump and the American people on Independence Day and thanked the US for its ongoing assistance during the call on Friday.
According to Zelenskyy, they talked about the possibility of their teams meeting in the future to discuss measures to improve Ukraine’s defenses against air assaults.
They discussed defense sector capabilities and direct cooperation projects with the U.S., especially in drone technology, he noted. According to Zelenskyy, they also discussed ideas for joint investment, procurement, and diplomatic collaboration with foreign partners.
So far, peace efforts have failed.Only occasional exchanges of POWs, injured soldiers, and fallen soldiers’ bodies have resulted from recent direct peace negotiations. No date for additional negotiations has been established.
The Russian Defense Ministry and Ukrainian officials said that another prisoner exchange occurred on Friday, but neither side disclosed the number of soldiers involved. According to Zelenskyy, the majority of Ukrainians have been held captive by Russia since 2022. The Ukrainian servicemen were categorized as gravely ill and injured.
I m very disappointed
The assault on Kyiv started on the same day that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone.
Trump responded, “No, I didn’t make any progress with him today at all,” when asked if he had made any headway in his call with Putin over an agreement to stop the fighting in Ukraine.
I don’t believe President Putin is present, so I’m rather dissatisfied in our conversation today. Trump stated, “I don’t think he’s looking to stop (the fighting), and that’s too bad.”
Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, stated that Moscow will work to accomplish its objectives in Ukraine and eliminate the conflict’s underlying roots.
Following the call, Ushakov assured reporters that Russia will not compromise on these objectives.
Putin attempted to defend the full-scale invasion by claiming that it was necessary to safeguard Russian-speaking residents in eastern Ukraine and keep the nation from joining NATO. On February 24, 2022, Russia’s troops crossed the border.
Zelenskyy has criticized Russian disinformation campaigns on numerous occasions.
Constant buzzing of drones
As Russia intensifies its aircraft attacks, Ukraine must act quickly. Russia set a new monthly record in June when it launched 5,438 drones toward Ukraine, according to official data compiled by The Associated Press. Earlier this week, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia also fired over 330 missiles, including about 80 ballistic missiles, at Ukrainian cities and villages during that month.
As Ukrainian soldiers attempted to halt the aerial attack, AP correspondents in Kyiv heard the sound of explosions and heavy machine gun fire throughout the night, along with the continuous buzzing of drones overhead.
On social networking platform X, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, “What a terrible and restless night in Kyiv.” Among the worst to date.
Families swarming into subway stations, basements, underground parking garages, and widespread devastation in the center of our capital were all reported by Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko.
She wrote on X that what Kyiv went through last night could only be described as a purposeful act of terror.
The attack was launched nationwide, with Kyiv as its main target. Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, reported that at least 14 people were admitted to hospitals.
Zelenskyy described the attack in Kyiv as cynical. According to the Defense Ministry in Moscow, its troops attacked Kyiv firms that made drones and other military hardware.
Russia strikes 5 Ukrainian regions
Two cruise missiles were among the 270 targets that Ukrainian air defenses destroyed. An further 208 targets were presumed jammed after being lost from radar.
Russia used 63 drones and nine missiles to successfully strike eight targets. At least 33 locations were hit by debris from drones that were intercepted.
According to Zelenskyy, damage was also incurred in the Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Kyiv areas in addition to the capital.
At least five of Kyiv’s ten districts had damage, according to emergency services.
By Arhirova Hanna
