In Kyiv on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conferred with leaders of the British and French armed forces, exploring the potential deployment of a multinational peacekeeping unit in Ukraine. This meeting comes amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s hesitation to extend security guarantees. Discussions from the U.K. Ministry of Defense revolved around the prospective “reassurance force’s” structure and size, with Adm. Antony Radakin emphasizing the necessity to enhance the Ukrainian army’s capabilities to counter Russian aggression.
The dialogue held over the weekend is anticipated to lay the groundwork for a forthcoming assembly of defense ministers in Brussels and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group later this week. The United Kingdom has been an advocate for a European-led peacekeeping initiative for Ukraine, conditional on a U.S. “backstop” to solidify its credibility against potential Russian actions.
Constructing a force robust enough to deter aggression—anticipations have floated between 10,000 to 30,000 troops—poses a challenge for traditionally downsized post-Cold War militaries now in the process of rearmament. President Trump, who has been advocating for a truce in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, has put a hold on military support to Kyiv and maintains that Ukraine will not join the NATO alliance.
In devastating news, the death toll following a missile attack by Russian forces in Kryvyi Rih has escalated to 18, including nine children, as per Serhii Lysak, the regional governor, on Saturday. The strike on Friday left 72 individuals injured, with the youngest victim being only 3 months old. Approximately half of the injured are still hospitalized, with 17 in critical condition.
“There can never be forgiveness for this,” stated Oleksandr Vilkul, head of Kryvyi Rih’s defense council, honoring the fallen. Kryvyi Rih, notably, is President Zelenskyy’s place of origin. His response to the attack was to denounce the missile’s impact area, which included a playground abutting residential buildings, and he shared his sentiments on Telegram.
Local reports detailed damage to roughly 20 apartment complexes, a restaurant, numerous vehicles, and an educational facility. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed accountability, arguing their high-precision missile targeted a meeting spot for unit leaders and Western mentors, allegedly resulting in the deaths of 85 military figures and correspondence. However, these assertions remain unverified, with Ukrainian officials categorically dismissing these as falsehoods.
A subsequent drone assault on Kryvyi Rih resulted in additional casualties, including one fatality and seven injuries. Overnight, Russian forces unleashed 92 drones throughout Ukraine; however, Ukrainian air defenses intercepted and neutralized 51.
Elsewhere, tensions simmered in the Russian-controlled town of Horlivka in the Donetsk region, where shelling led to one fatality. In a significant move, security officials confirm the obliteration of 28 Ukrainian drones in the region overnight, showcasing a unique instance of long-range drone strikes in occupied domains.
President Zelenskyy openly attributes the ongoing attacks to Russia’s refusal to conclude the war and has urged international allies to intensify their stance against Moscow and enhance Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. Critically, Zelenskyy reproached the U.S. ambassador in Kyiv for her response to the Kryvyi Rih incident. Ambassador Bridget Brink expressed her horror on social media regarding the attack but did not directly name Russia as the aggressor.
Zelenskyy, whose relations with President Trump have been complex, found the response “surprisingly weak” and underscored the necessity to directly confront Russia’s aggressive actions. He also commended nations such as Japan, Britain, Switzerland, and Germany for their resolute stances, advocating for honesty in addressing Russia’s role head-on.