Ukrainian President Rejects Russian Ceasefire Claims Amid New Attacks
LONDON — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that recent missile and drone strikes by Russia have exposed the illegitimacy of Moscow’s professed support for a ceasefire in Ukraine. The attacks took place shortly after a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which a temporary halt in attacks on energy infrastructure was discussed.
Recent Attacks and Response
Ukrainian officials reported missile and drone assaults affecting multiple regions across the country, prominently including a drone strike on a hospital in Sumy. Zelenskyy highlighted on Telegram that Ukrainian air defenses were active, successfully targeting several incoming threats, although damage to civilian infrastructure was sustained.
“You can literally hear what Russia really needs,” he remarked, noting, “About 40 Shaheds in our sky,” referring to Iranian-manufactured drones used by Russian forces. He emphasized that these nighttime raids devastate energy supplies and disrupt the daily lives of Ukrainian citizens. “This night was no exception,” he stated, calling for continued international pressure on Russia to foster peace.
Details of the Attack
Ukraine’s air force reported that overnight incursions included six missiles and a staggering 145 drones, with 72 of these drones intercepted. Regions affected were Sumy, Odesa, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, and Chernihiv. “Today, Putin actually rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire,” Zelenskyy indicated, urging the global community to dismiss any manipulative moves by the Russian leader to prolong the conflict.
Zelenskyy’s call to action included maintaining sanctions against Russia and bolstering support for Ukraine, emphasizing that any genuine cessation of hostilities would require Russia to halt its attacks on civilian sites.
Communications Between Trump and Putin
The Kremlin described the recent communication between Trump and Putin as a “detailed and frank exchange of views.” Despite initial discussions regarding a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States and Ukraine, Putin refrained from agreeing to the full pause in combat, framing such measures as beneficial for Ukraine’s military operations.
The two leaders did concur on implementing a ceasefire for energy-related assaults, after which Putin initiated orders aimed at complying with this agreement.
International Reactions and Further Developments
Subsequent to these events, Russian authorities reported a drone strike on an oil depot in Krasnodar, which resulted in a fire but no reported casualties. Local emergency services responded to contain the fire, which affected a substantial area.
The situation continued to evolve as operations at several Russian airports were temporarily suspended amid drone activity, demonstrating the broader implications of the ongoing conflict on regional stability.
Conclusion
Following the call, the White House noted that discussions would lead to negotiations aimed at establishing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, alongside technical arrangements for a complete cessation of hostilities. Trump characterized the dialogue as “very good and productive,” expressing optimism about the steps toward minimizing the violence between Russia and Ukraine.
This report incorporates contributions from ABC News’ Alexandra Hutzler and Oleksiy Pshemyskiy.