Russian forces launched a wave of deadly drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, killing at least six people, including two children, mere hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump canceled a planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported 21 others were injured in the overnight attacks. He asserted the incident proved the international community was not applying sufficient pressure on Moscow.
The intensified assaults occurred shortly after Mr. Trump announced he would not proceed with a summit in Budapest with Mr. Putin. The former U.S. leader cited the Kremlin’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire along current front lines, a demand he and European leaders had made, stating he did not want a “wasted meeting.”
Mr. Zelensky, who recently failed to persuade the U.S. to supply “Tomahawk” long-range missiles, directly linked the availability of such armaments to Russian diplomatic engagement. “As soon as the issue of long-range missiles moves away from Ukraine, Russia almost automatically reduces its interest in diplomatic negotiations,” he stated.
In a swift response, the Ukrainian military reported launching UK-supplied “Storm Shadow” cruise missiles on Tuesday evening. These targeted a Russian chemical plant in the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine.
Military officials described the strike as “successful,” stating it penetrated Russian air defenses. The plant reportedly produces gunpowder, explosives, and rocket fuel components used by Russia in its attacks on Ukrainian territory.
The latest Russian offensive marked the first major attack on the capital, Kyiv, since September 28. In Kyiv, an elderly couple in their 60s died when a drone struck a high-rise residential building.
The surrounding Kyiv region suffered four additional fatalities, including a woman, a 6-month-old baby, and a 12-year-old girl. Kyiv itself was under missile alert for hours, with explosions heard throughout the night as rescue workers battled fires in multiple residential buildings.
Nationwide, Russian strikes also focused on critical energy infrastructure, prompting emergency power outages in numerous areas.
Mr. Zelensky is scheduled to visit Saab, the Swedish arms manufacturer, today as Ukraine continues to press for advanced weaponry.