Russia and Ukraine have launched fresh air attacks against each other, striking key infrastructure just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy sites. The escalation comes in the wake of a high-stakes phone call between Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, during which the Russian leader refused to commit to a full ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of targeting hospitals and power supplies, calling the attacks a direct rejection of a comprehensive truce. “Putin has effectively dismissed the idea of a full ceasefire,” Zelensky said. “Instead, we are seeing continued assaults on our energy sector and civilian infrastructure.”
Within hours of the Putin-Trump conversation, Russia launched over 40 drones at Ukraine, striking multiple locations, including a hospital in Sumy. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces retaliated, with officials in Russia’s Krasnodar region confirming that a Ukrainian drone strike ignited a fire at an oil depot. Moscow also reported that Ukrainian forces attempted a ground assault on the Belgorod border region, but were repelled.
Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 35 over the Kursk border region. Belgorod’s governor described the situation as “difficult,” highlighting the ongoing instability near the front lines.
Despite Putin’s limited agreement to pause attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the broader peace efforts remain uncertain. The Russian leader conditioned a full ceasefire on Ukraine’s allies halting military support—an ultimatum previously rejected by Kyiv’s Western partners.
U.S.-led negotiations on Ukraine’s future will continue in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this weekend, as international efforts to broker peace remain fragile amid continued hostilities.
