Kyiv: A large-scale Russian missile and drone attack hit Kyiv overnight, killing nine people and injuring another 63, including six children, Ukrainian authorities said Thursday.
The Kyiv City Military Administration said on its Telegram channel that Russia struck Kyiv with drones and ballistic missiles.
Fires were reported in several residential buildings, said Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the city military administration.
Klitschko said fires sparked by falling drone wreckage raised concerns about people trapped under the rubble. Local mayor Kharkiv also noted that Russia attacked the north-eastern city, with two people injured in the incident.
It is pertinent to note that Russia’s latest aggression against Ukraine occurred shortly after Trump accused Zelenskyy of harming peace negotiations.
Trump, Zelenskyy spar over Crimea
In a post on TruthSocial, Trump claimed a deal to end the war was “very close”, but Zelenskyy’s refusal to accept US terms “will do nothing but prolong” the conflict. The remarks from Trump came after the Ukrainian president said Kyiv would not recognise Russian control of Crimea.
“Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognise Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago?” Trump wrote in the post. “I have nothing to do with Russia, but have much to do with wanting to save, on average, five thousand Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, who are dying for no reason whatsoever,” he furthered.
“The statement made by Zelenskyy today will do nothing but prolong the ‘killing field,” and nobody wants that! We are very close to a Deal, but the man with “no cards to play” should now, finally, GET IT DONE,” the president averred.
When asked further about the matter, Trump told reporters at the White House that he just wants to see the war end. On Wednesday, Trump said in the Oval Office that he found it easier to deal with Russia compared to Ukraine.
The heated argument between the two nations started after US Vice President JD Vance laid out the US vision for a deal, saying it would “freeze the territorial lines […] close to where they are today”, adding that Ukraine and Russia would both have to “give up some of the territory they currently own”.
The recent clash between Trump and Zelenskyy makes many question about the prospect of a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
