Russia unleashed its most massive aerial attack since the war began, bombarding Kyiv and multiple regions across Ukraine with missiles and drones overnight — marking the second consecutive night of heavy bombardment. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky didn’t hold back, sharply criticizing the United States for what he called a damaging “silence” amid the escalating attacks.

Deadly Strikes and Heartbreaking Losses

At least 12 people lost their lives in the recent missile and drone strikes, including three children from the same family in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr region, west of Kyiv. Ukraine’s Internal Affairs Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that the parents were hospitalized, with the mother still in critical condition. The children’s school expressed deep sorrow on Facebook, saying, “We are in pain. The whole school family… We bow our heads in sorrow.”

The attacks damaged civilian buildings in several districts of Kyiv and other cities, forcing residents to endure long hours in shelters under the continuous drone and missile onslaught.

A War That Shows No Signs of Letting Up

Ukraine’s Air Force revealed the staggering scale of the assault — 367 aerial weapons were launched overnight, including 69 missiles and nearly 300 drones targeting 22 locations. Ukrainian defenses managed to intercept most of these, shooting down 47 missiles and 266 drones.

Just last weekend, Russia set a previous record by launching 273 drones in a single night, underscoring how the Kremlin continues to ramp up its aerial campaign as diplomatic efforts falter.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described Sunday as “a difficult morning after a sleepless night,” highlighting the relentless pressure Ukrainian civilians and forces face.

Zelensky’s Call to Action: Don’t Look Away

President Zelensky took to Telegram to call out the global community, especially the US, for what he sees as a dangerous lack of response. “The world may go on vacation, but the war continues, despite weekends and weekdays. This cannot be ignored. America’s silence, and the silence of others in the world, only encourages Putin,” he said.

He urged stronger sanctions, condemning Russia’s attacks as terrorist acts that prolong the war and cost innocent lives every day.

Mixed Messages from the US

US President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Putin’s actions, saying, “We’re in the middle of talking, and he’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities.” Trump acknowledged a personal connection with Putin but criticized the escalation, saying, “He’s killing a lot of people… I don’t like it at all.”

At the same time, Trump’s Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, condemned the attacks as a blatant violation of international protocols meant to protect civilians.

A Glimmer of Hope Amid the Violence: Prisoner Swap

In a rare moment of cooperation, over 600 Russian and Ukrainian prisoners were exchanged on Sunday, concluding a larger 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap agreed upon during talks in Istanbul last week. Videos shared by Ukrainian officials showed released Ukrainian soldiers, many with shaved heads and draped in national flags, joyfully reconnecting with loved ones.

Zelensky thanked the team behind the exchange, calling it a success. Yet, despite this humanitarian step, the violence shows no sign of easing.

Diplomatic Talks Face Harsh Reality

The Istanbul meeting came after European allies pressed Moscow with an ultimatum demanding a ceasefire or sanctions. Many observers viewed Putin’s proposal for talks as a tactic to delay and distract from the mounting pressure.

Since the talks, Russia has only intensified its bombardment. Zelensky warned that without stronger pressure from the US and Europe, the brutal attacks would continue unchecked.

Russia Reports Ukrainian Drone Attacks in Return

Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have intercepted or destroyed about 100 Ukrainian drones over its own territory, mainly in central and southern regions, including near Moscow. Reports from Russian officials noted injuries in some areas from these attacks.

What’s Next?

With the war dragging into its third year, the latest massive Russian aerial assault starkly highlights the ongoing human cost and geopolitical deadlock. As Kyiv calls for stronger international action and fresh sanctions, the world watches closely — the silence or response of global powers may shape the conflict’s next chapter.

This story will be updated as new information becomes available.

Source: CNN – US ‘silence’ encouraging Putin, says Zelensky, after Russia launches record air assault

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Former President also criticizes Zelensky amid deadly Russian airstrikes

Former President Donald Trump publicly condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, calling him “absolutely CRAZY” after Russia launched its most devastating aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began over three years ago.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote,

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people… Missiles and drones are being shot into cities in Ukraine for no reason whatsoever.”

Speaking to reporters earlier that day, Trump expressed frustration, saying, “I’m not happy with what Putin is doing. He’s killing a lot of people, and I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin.”

Deadly Assault Shakes Ukraine

Ukrainian officials confirmed that at least 12 people, including children, were killed in the wave of Russian drone and missile strikes. Dozens more were injured. This latest assault is part of an intensifying campaign as pressure builds on Putin to accept a ceasefire deal.

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded by calling out what he described as “America’s silence,” warning that such inaction only encourages Putin’s aggression.

“The world may go on vacation, but the war continues,” Zelensky said. “America’s silence, and the silence of others in the world, only encourages Putin.”

Trump Fires Back at Zelensky

Trump didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Ukrainian leader, either.

“Likewise, President Zelenskyy is doing his country no favors by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems. I don’t like it, and it better stop,” Trump posted.

Sanctions, Ceasefire Talks, and a Surprise Call

Trump also said he is “absolutely” considering additional sanctions on Russia, a shift from his earlier reluctance. “There’s a chance of progress,” he had said before, but now acknowledges the situation could warrant a stronger response.

Just a week earlier, Trump had spoken with Putin in a call that coincided with a separate major drone assault on Ukraine.

“We’re in the middle of talking, and he’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities,” Trump said.

Following that call, Trump also spoke with Zelensky and several European leaders. He later announced that negotiations were being arranged for a 30-day ceasefire and possibly a path toward ending the war entirely.

“Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the war,” Trump stated, adding that the terms “will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be.”

Source: CNN – Trump says Putin ‘has gone absolutely crazy’ after major Russian attack on Ukraine

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a threat to target decision-making centers in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, using Russia’s new ballistic missile, the Oreshnik. This statement came just hours after Russia launched a large-scale strike on Ukraine’s energy grid overnight, which Putin described as retaliation for Ukraine’s attacks on Russian soil using U.S.-supplied Atacms missiles.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that any Russian attempts at “blackmail” would face a strong reply from Ukraine.

Ukraine recently used Atacms and UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to strike inside Russia, marking the first such attacks since the invasion began in February 2022, with approval from the United States, the UK, and France.

The Russian strike was carried out over several hours, involving waves of drones and missiles hitting various locations across Ukraine. This marked the second time this month that Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been targeted. While no casualties were reported, the attack left more than one million Ukrainians without power.

Zelensky condemned the use of cluster munitions in the attack, noting their severe risk to civilians and the challenges they present to rescue teams and repair workers. “Cluster warheads are a particularly dangerous type of weapon,” he said, adding that they significantly complicate efforts to restore vital services.

Putin confirmed that the attack involved 90 missiles and 100 drones, including the new Oreshnik ballistic missile, which he claims is “intercept-proof.” However, U.S. officials believe Russia has only a limited number of these experimental missiles and will need time to produce more.

In his nightly address, Zelensky responded to Putin’s threats, accusing the Russian president of having no interest in ending the war and attempting to force U.S. President Joe Biden to accept Russia’s terms. Zelensky also highlighted Putin’s warning that Russia would not allow Ukraine to acquire nuclear weapons, threatening to use “all means of destruction” if Ukraine ever pursued them.

This threat likely refers to recent reports suggesting that some unnamed Western officials had considered providing Ukraine with nuclear weapons, particularly before President Biden leaves office in January. Zelensky has frequently expressed frustration over the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which saw Ukraine give up its inherited nuclear weapons from the Soviet Union in exchange for security assurances that have not been upheld.

The Russian attacks caused explosions across several Ukrainian cities, including Odesa, Kharkiv, and Lutsk. Kyiv was also targeted, but Ukrainian authorities claimed to have intercepted all missiles aimed at the capital. The attack lasted nearly 10 hours, with at least 12 regions across Ukraine, including three in the west, affected. Emergency power outages were imposed in response, with over 280,000 people in the Rivne region and 523,000 in Lviv left without electricity. In Kherson, authorities warned of power outages lasting several days.

With winter approaching, Ukrainian officials are concerned that Russia will continue its assault on the energy grid. The country has already faced bitter winters during Russia’s invasion, and the current one promises to be just as harsh. Ukraine’s energy company, DTEK, reported significant damage to its thermal plants, and this attack marks the 11th major assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since March. Over 190 attacks have been made on energy plants since the invasion began.

Despite the destruction, Ukraine has received significant support, including up to €107 million ($89 million) worth of equipment aid from the European Commission and the U.S. to help restore power. But as temperatures drop and snow begins to fall, Ukraine braces for yet another challenging winter of war.

Source

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