Russia attacks Ukraine with dozens of drones ahead of Trump-Zelenskyy meeting
Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine by launching dozens of drones overnight, according to the Ukrainian air force. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to North America for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
The Ukrainian air force reported that 48 Russian drones were fired into the country from Saturday night into Sunday morning, with 30 being shot down or suppressed. Eighteen drones impacted various locations across Ukraine. This latest barrage follows a week of intense attacks, with over 1,810 drones and missiles fired by Russian forces, as reported by ABC News.
Zelenskyy’s visit to North America includes meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and with Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. In a WhatsApp chat with journalists, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for strong security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe for Ukraine to move towards peace. He highlighted the importance of Western allies’ support in stopping Russian aggression.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the West is offering Ukraine favorable conditions for a peaceful settlement but suggested that Kyiv is not interested in such an outcome. Putin warned that Russia would achieve its objectives through military means if Ukraine does not agree to a peace deal.
Zelenskyy has expressed skepticism about Putin’s willingness to end the conflict, citing Russia’s continued attacks as evidence of Moscow’s intentions. He described the recent Russian drone strikes as Putin’s “answer to peace” and criticized Russia for seeking to inflict more pain on Ukraine.
As the conflict intensifies, both Ukraine and Russia have engaged in long-range strikes against each other. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported downing at least 25 Russian drones, while Russia imposed temporary flight restrictions at several airports in response to the ongoing hostilities.
The situation in Ukraine remains fluid, with Zelenskyy’s diplomatic efforts aimed at securing peace amid escalating tensions with Russia. The international community continues to monitor the developments closely as the conflict shows no signs of abating.
