In a brutal show of force, Russia launched one of its heaviest bombardments in weeks, firing more than 600 drones and missiles at Ukraine just as US President Donald Trump pushed for diplomatic talks. The assault seemed to be a violent response to the peace overtures, highlighting the deep-seated resistance to a swift end to the war.
The attacks were widespread and devastating. While Russian strikes often hit eastern regions near the front lines, this latest barrage reached deep into western Ukraine.
In the city of Lviv, a missile and drone strike killed one person and injured three others, damaging more than 20 civilian buildings, including homes and a nursery.
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Even more shocking was the attack on the far southwestern Transcarpathia region. Fifteen people were injured when cruise missiles struck an American electronics firm in the town of Mukachevo, not far from Ukraine’s borders with Hungary and Slovakia.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the strike on social media, pointing out that the plant produced civilian household goods.
The timing of the assault was not lost on Ukrainian officials. Sybiha said the strikes underscored why diplomatic efforts to end the conflict were “so critical.”
The bombardment came shortly after Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and his subsequent gathering with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders at the White House.
The prospect of a direct meeting between Zelensky and Putin has been a key topic of discussion. Zelensky has said he is willing to meet Putin “in any format” in “neutral Europe,” suggesting Switzerland or Austria as potential venues, and not ruling out Istanbul.
However, he was less enthusiastic about Budapest, citing Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s strong ties with Moscow as a reason it would “not be easy today.”
Trump initially proposed a three-way summit but has since pulled back, suggesting it would be “better” for Putin and Zelensky to meet alone first, adding he would attend “if necessary.”
Despite the renewed diplomatic push, Zelensky remained cautious. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said there had been no signal from Moscow that they “truly intend to engage in substantive negotiations.” His words were backed by grim intelligence: he noted that Russian forces were massing on the southern front line in the Zaporizhzhia region, moving troops from other fronts.
The latest attacks, with their high-tech mix of hypersonic, ballistic, and cruise missiles, seemed to be Moscow’s answer to the peace talks: a brutal display of force designed to speak louder than any diplomatic promise.