Russia attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles just hours after the U.S. and Kyiv discussed a ceasefire. The strikes raised doubts about Vladimir Putin’s willingness to negotiate peace. The attacks hit several cities, causing deaths and destruction. The strikes happened after Donald Trump said he was ready to talk to Putin. “It takes two to tango,” Trump told reporters. He hoped Russia would agree to a 30-day ceasefire plan. Kyiv had already accepted the U.S. proposal and was ready to stop fighting. Now, the decision was in Moscow’s hands.
Deadly missile strikes and drone attacks cause destruction across Ukraine
The attacks caused serious damage in several cities. In Kryvyi Rih, a missile killed a 47-year-old woman riding a trolleybus. Smoke rose from the site of the strike. In Odesa, Russian forces targeted a cargo ship carrying grain to Africa. The attack killed four people and injured several others. In Dnipro, ten private homes were hit. Windows in a school and kindergarten were shattered. A man had to be hospitalized. Russian drones also targeted Kharkiv. Footage showed a massive fire in Sumy after a warehouse was hit. The attacks caused widespread destruction and fear among Ukrainian civilians.
Russian missile hits a cargo vessel in Odesa, killing crew members and damaging supplies
A Russian missile hit a Greek-managed cargo ship in Odesa. The vessel was loading 30,000 tons of wheat for Africa when the strike happened. A fire broke out, killing four crew members. Among the dead were three Syrians and one Ukrainian. A fifth crew member and a port worker were injured. The missile also damaged the pier and the grain terminal. The attack appeared to be aimed at disrupting Ukraine’s grain exports. It also affected much-needed food supplies for African countries. The incident showed Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine’s economy and trade routes.
The U.S. and Kyiv call for peace, but Russia’s response remains unclear
Despite the attacks, U.S. and Ukrainian leaders remained hopeful about a ceasefire. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Kyiv’s agreement to the ceasefire meant Moscow had to decide next. “Now it’s up to them to say yes or no,” Rubio stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also supported the plan. He said Ukraine was ready to stop fighting immediately. “We see it as a positive step,” he said. However, the Kremlin did not officially respond. Instead, Russia launched more missile strikes. Many saw this as a sign that Putin was unwilling to end the war.
Some Russian officials reject the ceasefire plan, calling it unacceptable
While diplomatic talks continued, some Russian leaders spoke out against the ceasefire. Hardliners in Moscow opposed the idea. Russian MP Viktor Sobolev said the plan would only help Ukraine rearm. “The U.S. will give Ukraine more weapons during the 30-day truce,” he warned. Pro-war bloggers and TV hosts also criticized the proposal. They believed a temporary ceasefire would allow Ukraine to regroup. Russian senator Konstantin Kosachev said Russia would not agree to U.S. terms. “Any agreements will be on our terms, not theirs,” he insisted. These statements suggested that Moscow might reject the proposal.
Russian forces claim victories in border regions as fighting continues
As peace talks stalled, Russian troops advanced in some areas. Reports from Moscow claimed that Russian soldiers had taken control of Sudzha, a key border town. Footage allegedly showed Russian flags raised in the town square. Ukrainian troops had reportedly withdrawn from the area. However, some sources said fighting was still ongoing. Meanwhile, Russian air defense claimed to have intercepted 21 Ukrainian drones overnight. Most of them have been shot down over the Bryansk, Kursk, and Kaluga regions. Despite these developments, the war showed no signs of ending soon.
Ukraine launches drone attacks on Moscow, killing workers and shutting down airports
In response to Russia’s attacks, Ukraine launched a massive drone strike on Moscow. Reports said 337 drones downed over Russia. The attack killed three workers at a meat warehouse. It also caused a temporary shutdown at four major airports in Moscow. The drone strikes showed Ukraine’s ability to strike deep inside Russian territory. This escalation added more tension to an already volatile conflict. While peace talks continued, both sides continued launching attacks. The situation remained uncertain, with no clear path to ending the war.
