A series of Russian drone strikes targeted civilian areas overnight, damaging a hospital in Ukraine, despite ongoing discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump about a possible ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Moscow’s continued attacks, especially on the country’s energy infrastructure, even after Putin had reportedly agreed to halt strikes on Ukraine’s power grid.
Zelensky emphasized that Russia’s refusal to halt all strikes underscored the necessity for increased international pressure on Moscow to prevent Putin from prolonging the war.
“This confirms that we must continue to pressure Russia for the sake of peace,” Zelensky said on Tuesday night. “Only a real halt to Russia’s attacks on civilian infrastructure can signal a genuine desire to end this war and bring peace closer.”
Trump-Putin Ceasefire Talks
The White House described the phone conversation between Trump and Putin as a potential “first step” towards peace, with hopes that discussions would lead to a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a broader cessation of hostilities. However, there were no indications that Putin had altered his stance on the conditions for a peace deal, which Kyiv strongly opposes.
Shortly after the Trump-Putin call, air raid sirens blared in Kyiv, followed by explosions as civilians sought shelter. Reports confirmed that Russian drone strikes targeted multiple Ukrainian cities, including a direct hit on a hospital in Sumy and attacks on cities in the Donetsk region. Other affected areas included Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions.
Russian Defense Ministry’s Response
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday that its air defense systems intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian border regions, including Kursk and Bryansk, as well as Oryol and Tula.
Authorities in the Krasnodar region, which borders the annexed Crimean Peninsula, also reported that a Ukrainian drone strike triggered a fire at an oil depot.
Escalating Tensions
Despite diplomatic efforts, the ongoing airstrikes and counterattacks highlight the persistent volatility of the conflict. While U.S. officials remain hopeful for a long-term resolution, Kyiv continues to demand a full cessation of hostilities before any peace talks can advance.
Sources By Agencies
