Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern over a lack of a response from the United States regarding Russia’s refusal to agree to a comprehensive ceasefire amid escalating aerial bombardments. On Sunday, Zelensky reported that a recent Russian missile and drone attack resulted in the deaths of two people and wounded seven others, highlighting an intensification of hostilities.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine has accepted terms for an unconditional truce put forward by the United States, yet Russian President Vladimir Putin has declined to reciprocate. “We are waiting for the United States to respond — so far there has been no response,” he stated.
In a rare assertion of territorial gains, Russia claimed it had captured a village in Ukraine’s Sumy region, but Ukrainian officials dismissed this as “disinformation.” Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister, described the attack as “massive,” involving a range of ballistic missiles and drones.
The situation in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, grew dire as explosions were reported overnight, with smoke visible the following morning. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration, confirmed one death and three injuries. In the Darnytsia district, the body of a man affected by the attack was retrieved, illustrating the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
Significant damage was inflicted on infrastructure, including a building housing state foreign-language broadcasters that was partially destroyed in a missile strike. Multiple fires erupted in non-residential areas of Kyiv, and similar repercussions were noted in surrounding regions. In Kherson, a drone strike resulted in a fatality, while an attack in Kharkiv injured two people. Damaged properties and casualties were also reported in Khmelnytsky, where debris from intercepted missiles affected residents.
Over the past week, Zelensky indicated that Russia had unleashed over 1,460 guided aerial bombs and hundreds of drones and missiles, reflecting a sustained offensive campaign. In response to Russia’s assertion of capturing Basivka, a spokesman for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine labeled such claims as part of an ongoing disinformation campaign.
French President Emmanuel Macron voiced support for Zelensky’s call for a robust response to Russia’s actions, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire. He criticized the continued loss of civilian life, stating that “strong action” is necessary if Russia continues to evade peace efforts.
The backdrop to these developments included a tragic missile attack in Kryvyi Rig that claimed 18 lives, including nine children, prompting condemnation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who criticized Russia for its “reckless disregard” for civilian life.
As tensions persist, Russia claimed to have targeted an artillery base and drone production facilities, alleging that Ukraine struck its own energy infrastructure. Amid these conflicting narratives, U.S. President Donald Trump is advocating for a partial ceasefire, though diplomatic efforts have yet to yield a mutually acceptable agreement. Observers noted that senior Russian officials, including envoy Kirill Dmitriev, hinted at upcoming discussions with U.S. representatives, marking a potential shift in diplomatic engagement.
