Zelenskyy condemned Russia for striking civilians despite peace efforts, noting Ukraine accepted all U.S. diplomatic proposals
Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said Russia launched nearly 90 drones overnight in one of its largest aerial strikes in recent months, targeting several regions including Kyiv, Donetsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Dnipro. Ukrainian air defense forces managed to neutralize most of them.
Zelenskyy thanked defenders for protecting Ukraine’s skies and confirmed damage to infrastructure. In Pavlohrad, two people were wounded, while in Kyiv, public transport facilities were hit, prompting urgent recovery operations. “Among the targets were Ukraine’s infrastructure and enterprises,” he said in a post on X.
Condemning Moscow, Zelenskyy stressed that Russia struck civilians even as global calls for peace grow stronger. He referred to U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for diplomacy, saying Ukraine had agreed to all proposals to advance peace talks, but “this position is not being heard in Russia.”
The Ukrainian leader linked the attacks to a pressing need for stronger defense partnerships. He highlighted the PURL initiative, co-production plans, and pending agreements on drones and arms procurement with the United States. “Decisive action is needed so that Russia ultimately agrees to diplomacy,” he urged.
Meanwhile, across the border, Russia reported drone attacks in its Rostov region. Acting governor Yuri Slyusar said Ukrainian UAVs were intercepted in Chertkovsky, Kuibyshevsky, and Dubovsky districts.
The escalation underscores the growing role of drones in the war, with both nations deploying them extensively for strikes and defense. Zelenskyy reiterated his call for international partners to accelerate support, noting that security guarantees and advanced weapon systems are vital for Ukraine’s resilience.