Russia launches largest drone attack on Ukraine hours before Trump-Putin call
Russia launched its largest single drone attack on Ukraine just hours before President Donald Trump’s scheduled phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the ongoing war. According to Ukraine’s air force, a total of 273 exploding drones and decoys were fired at Ukraine’s Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk regions. Of these, 88 were intercepted, and 128 were lost, likely due to electronic jamming.
This drone attack, the biggest since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, resulted in the death of a 28-year-old woman and injuries to three others, including a 4-year-old child, as reported by the Associated Press. The barrage came as Trump announced his intention to speak with Putin about stopping the bloodshed that has claimed the lives of thousands of soldiers each week on both sides.
In response to the attack, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized President Trump’s goal of achieving a ceasefire and ending the conflict that he believes began due to the weakness of the previous administration. The State Department also condemned Russia’s missile strikes on civilian areas, stating that the war has no military solution and that the U.S. will judge Putin’s commitment to peace by his actions.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Rome for ongoing peace talks. Zelenskyy expressed readiness for real diplomacy and stressed the importance of a full ceasefire, as well as the need for sanctions against Russia until they are willing to end the war.
The drone attack on Sunday was the largest launched by Russia since the invasion began, surpassing the previous record set on the war’s third anniversary. As world leaders gathered in Rome for Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass, discussions around achieving a just and durable peace in Ukraine took center stage.
Overall, the situation remains tense as efforts are made to bring an end to the conflict and prevent further loss of life. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, with hopes for a peaceful resolution in the near future.
